EU has two options: Confront Donald Trump or avoid costly trade war

Europe would not be spared from the American metals tariffs, its leaders quickly declared they would follow through on threats of retaliation

For Europe, the first move was easy. Officials swiftly announced plans to strike back with retaliatory measures against President Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum while vowing a legal challenge.
 
The next move is more complicated and uncertain. Though European leaders project unified resolve in confronting what they portray as American bullying that breaches the rules of global trade, they have not proved adept at setting aside national differences in pursuit of common aims.
 
And Europe at the moment appears especially divided and internally conflicted.