The European Commission is investigating whether to tighten its current system of quotas on steel imports to protect EU producers from new tariffs U.S. President Donald Trump plans to impose on incoming steel and aluminium on March 12.

The European Union has vowed to take firm and proportionate countermeasures in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.

The European Union plans to retaliate against the United States for new steel and aluminum tariffs, adding another element to rising global trade tensions. "Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered—they will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures,

U.S. tariffs could cause the prices of steel and aluminum cans to rise, an increase that may ultimately be passed on to consumers.

A top European Union official, who is trying to head off a potential trade conflict, stressed the importance of active engagement and fairness in trade during a four-hour meeting with Trump administration officials on Wednesday.

The European Union plans to safeguard its economic interests by imposing countermeasures in response to the U.S. tariffs, according to EU officials.