BRUSSELS — European Union member states voted Wednesday to approve retaliatory tariffs on $23 billion in goods in response to President Trump’s 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, as the largest U.S. trading partner described them as “unjustified and damaging.”

The European Union is poised to approve a plan to hit back at President Trump’s steel and aluminum levies. Further measures could come next.

The European Union voted Wednesday to impose new taxes on a range of products imported from the U.S. starting Tuesday, fulfilling its threat to retaliate against President Donald Trump’s 25% global tax on steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. implemented in March.

The European Commission has invited the sectors most impacted by U.S. tariffs to an in-person meeting on Thursday, an invitation letter seen by Reuters showed, as the commission weighs new trade partnerships and further countermeasures.

European leaders on Monday floated a 25% tariffs on US goods in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs on certain products like steel and aluminum.

China said it will take “resolute measures” to defend its trading rights, but gave no details on how it will respond to U.S. moves.