The European Union wants to engage swiftly with the United States over President Donald Trump's planned tariffs, trade chief Maros Sefcovic said on Tuesday, while his boss Ursula von der Leyen stressed the bloc would protect its interests in negotiations.

U.S. President Donald Trump said trade tariffs would be imposed on the European Union and U.K., but he signaled that a deal could be worked out with Britain.

The president’s threats to slap duties on goods imported from the European Union are part of a pattern of directing the harshest penalties at the United States’ closest allies.

Citing a senior Canadian official who shared details of Trump's plan with CBC, the news organisation says it includes 25% tariffs on most goods coming from Canada into the US, along with 10% tariffs on Canadian energy products.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had hoped to spend Monday marking a new milestone in the UK’s much-promised reset with European Union five years after Brexit. Instead, he received a dramatic reminder of how much harder that will be with Donald Trump back in the White House.

President Trump’s threats are carrying more weight after his moves against Canada, Mexico and China. Europe has been preparing for the possibility of a trade war for months.

EU seeks swift engagement with US on tariffs to protect interests, aiming for strong partnership through negotiations.

"Tariffs are a negative in respect of economic development," Ireland's Taoiseach said as President Trump vows to place tariffs on the EU.

U.S. tariffs of 10% on Chinese imports came into effect on Tuesday, risking a renewed trade war between the world's top two economies as President Donald Trump punishes China for not halting the flow of illicit drugs.

Tariffs will be paused for 30 days. But a 10 percent levy on Chinese goods is still scheduled to go into effect.