BRUSSELS -- The European Union (EU) on Thursday pushed back against US President Donald Trump's claim that the bloc takes advantage of the United States, arguing that American businesses have reaped significant profits from investments in Europe.

Asked at a press briefing about Trump's remark that "the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States," European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said that since its foundation, the EU has been a boon for the United States.

"By creating a large and integrated single market, the EU has facilitated trade, reduced costs for EU exporters and harmonized standards and regulations across all our member states. As a result, US investments in Europe are highly profitable," Gill said.

Annual trade between the US and the EU exceeds 1.5 trillion euros ($1.56 trillion), he highlighted, making it one of the world's largest bilateral trade and investment relationships.

"The EU believes we should work together to preserve these opportunities for our people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic instead of working against each other. We stand for dialogue, openness and reciprocity," Gill said.

However, he stressed that the EU will also protect its consumers and businesses at every turn.

Regarding tariffs, the European Commission said on Wednesday that the EU would react "firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies."

European Commission spokeswoman Arianna Podesta also addressed the issue at the Thursday press briefing, noting that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has repeatedly outlined the EU's stance on potential tariffs against the bloc.

"Nobody has to gain from a trade war," she said, adding that the EU is ready to engage with its US counterparts and is already doing so.

Trump said Wednesday that the US plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on European imports, including cars and other goods. Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting, he claimed that the EU has "taken advantage of" the United States by blocking American cars and agricultural products.