EU's von der Leyen: EU will respond if unfairly targeted by the U.S.

BRUSSELS, Feb 3 (Reuters) - The European Union wants a constructive dialogue with the United States but is ready to respond firmly if it is "unfairly" targeted by the new Trump administration, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday after a meeting with EU leaders.

"We discussed our transatlantic partnership. This remains our most consequential relationship (...) we discussed ways to strengthen a very pragmatic cooperation with the United States," she said during a press conference.

"There are clearly new challenges and new uncertainties (...) and when targeted unfairly or arbitrarily, the European Union will respond firmly," von der Leyen added.