French Minister of the Economy, Finance, and Industry Eric Lombard told BFMTV on Friday that the European Union will respond to the United States' tariffs in a "proportionate" manner, with the answer meant to bring the two to the negotiating table.

He went on to say that the EU shouldn't retaliate "with exactly the same tools," as such a move would likely impact the bloc's consumers. "The United States wants to siphon off the world's economy for its own benefit," the French official commented.

Lombard revealed that the EU's measures won't be limited to goods tariffs, adding that the countries are currently talking about digital tariffs.