The introduction of duties on steel and aluminum from the EU countries returned to America boomerang. The European Commission (EC) decided in turn to introduce from the beginning of July duties on goods from the United States. This is reported on the EC website. "The Council of European Commissioners today approved the decision to introduce additional duties on the full list of goods from the US, brought to the attention of the World Trade Organization (WTO), as part of the EU response to US tariffs on steel and aluminum products," the statement says.. The document also emphasizes the absolute legitimacy of these actions. In the opinion of the European Commissioners, such measures fully comply with WTO rules. They will also allow to restore damage amounting to € 6.4 billion, inflicted on Americans by American actions. European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom, commenting on the statement, called the US decision "unilateral and illegal" and stressed that the response of the EC "weighted and proportionate". In her view, "the EU's response is fully in line with international trade standards". Malmstrom also expressed regret that America's decision "left us no choice but to protect the interests of the EU". Earlier, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the decision of the US administration to introduce from June 1 customs duties on imports of steel and aluminum products from the European Union, Canada and Mexico.