Merkel slams Trump's import tariffs as 'unlawful'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday sharply criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to introduce tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and warned Washington that the European Union was ready to take countermeasures if necessary.

"We consider these tariffs unlawful," Merkel told lawmakers in the Bundestag lower house of parliament, adding that Germany was convinced that isolationism would hurt everyone in the end.

Merkel said Germany and the European Union would continue talks with the United States on trade.