German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that the EU wants to cooperate with the USA but will respond unitedly if tariffs on steel and aluminum are imposed. Speaking at the inauguration of the Hanover Industrial Trade Fair, where Canada is this year’s honored country, Scholz also highlighted that Canada is an independent nation, contrary to Donald Trump’s demands for its annexation. ‘We stand by you!’ Scholz declared, adding, ‘Canada does not belong to anyone else. Canada is a proud, independent nation.’ Regarding Trump’s plans to impose tariffs, Scholz stated that his response to ‘America First’ policies is more free trade, greater competitiveness, and more technological sovereignty. He stressed that Europe is neither naive nor weak, reminding that trade wars harm all parties involved. ‘Therefore, I say to the United States: Europe’s goal remains cooperation. However, if the USA leaves us no other choice, as with tariffs on steel and aluminum, we as the European Union will respond uniformly,’ Scholz concluded.