German officials emphasized the necessity for planning security for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, expressing ongoing commitment to stable trade relations. The German Trade Association criticized the rationale behind the tariffs, which were justified by President Trump as a response to alleged lax enforcement of forced labor prohibitions. EU foreign policy chief Kallas also condemned the tariffs as unfounded, highlighting discrepancies in labor rights between the EU and the US. The new tariffs, set at 10% and 12.5%, affect nearly 60 countries and replace a previous global tariff of 10% on US imports.