Dhaka, Feb. 15 -- The European Union (EU) views US President Donald Trump's proposed "reciprocal" trade policy as a step in the wrong direction, according to a statement released on Friday.

"The EU will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies," reads the statement.

The EU will always protect European businesses, workers, and consumers from unjustified tariff measures, reports Xinhua citing the release.

On Thursday, Trump signed a memorandum directing his administration to determine "the equivalent of a reciprocal tariff with respect to each foreign trading partner." According to the EU, the newly imposed tariffs ...