The president’s threats to slap duties on goods imported from the European Union are part of a pattern of directing the harshest penalties at the United States’ closest allies.

Germany is very concerned about US tariffs on Mexico and Canada, a government spokeswoman said on Monday. "Many German companies producing for the US market are present in both Mexico and Canada," said a spokeswoman for the Economy Ministry,

Canada, China and Mexico all want to buy time, mitigate the damage, retain firepower and create pathways for de-escalation. Yet despite being lumped together and having similar goals, they have different strategies,