The European Union has responded with unity and conviction after US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that import tariffs on the European Union are "definitely happening".

Axar.az reports that speaking before an informal meeting to discuss security issues, European leaders appeared to agree that the EU would fight US tariffs if they were to be applied.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said the bloc "can react to tariff policies with tariff policies".

"We must and will do that, but the perspective and aim should be that we proceed in such a way so that things come down to cooperation,” the leader of Europe's largest economy added.

As Trump moves forward with his foreign policy agenda and the war in Ukraine further limits European dependence on Russian gas, the EU is looking to become more independent, both economically and militarily.

"We have to do everything to avoid this unnecessary and stupid tariff war," said Polish PM Donald Tusk, adding that "we cannot lose common sense, we cannot lose awareness of our interests. At the same time, we cannot lose our European self-respect and self-confidence. It's not easy, but we'll see."

The prime minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, said she "does not support fighting allies," but that Denmark will cooperate and respond to US tariffs.

Ireland's Taoiseach, Micheál Martin said that "One thing is clear, the EU must act as one," warning that the EU-US trade relationship is the biggest in the world and "inflation will harm citizens."

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said there would be "no winners" in a trade war with the US. She stressed that tariffs would impact jobs and prices, adding that China would be "the one laughing on the side".

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, meanwhile, stressed the need to "switch to a positive economic agenda" with the US, suggesting the EU acquire more liquid natural gas (LNG) as well as procure additional military equipment from its long-time ally.