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.

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 administra

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 president said he planned sweeping tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports on Monday and would take other action to even out tariff rates with the rest of the world later this week.

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