The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that the European Commission announced its intention on Friday to respond "firmly and immediately" to tariff increases from U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed "reciprocal" trade policy, which it deemed unjustified. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that Mr. Trump is directing his economics team to create plans for tariffs on countries that impose duties on U.S. imports, targeting nations like China, Japan, South Korea and the European Union. The Commission stated: "The EU maintains some of the lowest tariffs in the world and sees no justification for increased U.S. tariffs on its exports." The EU executive said over 70 per cent of imports enter the bloc tariff-free. A fact sheet from the White House on Thursday highlighted the difference between EU tariffs on car imports of 10 per cent and the U.S. import duty of 2.5 per cent. It also criticized value-added tax, used across the bloc, as discriminatory and extraterritorial. As well, it took aim at regulatory requirements and digital services taxes on U.S. companies, such as in France which imposes a 3-per-cent tax on revenues from digital platforms and advertising, markets led by firms such as Google, Meta and Amazon.