The EU is on guard, ready to retaliate strongly against US tax measures

The EU is expected to hold an internal meeting this week to develop a response plan in case trade negotiations with President Trump fail.

The deadline of August 1 is approaching, and the US threatens to impose a 30% tax on most goods from the EU - affecting nearly 70% of the total export turnover of the bloc to the US.

The EU has prepared a response measure worth 93 billion euros, including taxes aimed at goods from politically sensitive US states and restrictions on US companies in Europe.

Member countries are even calling for the activation of the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) if negotiations break down, allowing the EU to retaliate with new taxes on major US technology corporations and restrict US access to the EU market.