The EU commission and the EU in general works always trying to descalate first, because usually a not-so-good deal is better than a war, even a trade one.

So trying to get a deal is fine imho.

Now there it comes the second stage. Got and tried a deal, the other party does not keep its side. Unleash the kraken and go for them. Go nuclear, start dumping US bonds and trade with the rest of the world in Renmibi (we don’t want the Euro to be the world reseve currency, no thanks).

Hit them where it hurts.