Brussels was drawing up plans for a trade war with Donald Trump before his election victory.

Officials wargaming the threat of tariffs have a three-pronged strategy to buy off the US president.

The European Commission, which handles trade on behalf of its member states, has little choice but to strike back with its own tariffs if Mr Trump hits the EU with trade taxes.

EU governments demand nothing less. They do not want a trade war but will not stomach being strong armed, especially after Mr Trump hit European steel and aluminium in his first term.

Brussels has drawn up a hit list of iconic US products, such as motorcycles and bourbon, for retaliatory tariffs.

Officials have targeted products made in Republican-run states identified as vulnerable in 2026 midterm elections. Brussels hopes the congressmen will put Mr Trump under pressure to ditch the tariffs.