Trump Seeks 25 Percent Tariffs On EU Goods, Raising Trade War Prospect
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump effectively launched a trade war against the European Union, saying the 27-nation bloc was formed “to screw” the United States and that he seeks to introduce 25 percent tariffs on imported EU goods.
He added that the tariffs would be 25 percent “in general, ” affecting several sectors, including car makers.
“Look, let’s be honest, the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States,” Trump told reporters as he gathered his cabinet for the first time.
“That’s the purpose of it, and they’ve done a good job of it. But now I’m president.”
Trump told his cabinet meeting that the European Union has “really taken advantage of us,” echoing the claims of being treated “unfairly” that he has levied not only at the EU but at China, Canada, the mainstream media, and Democrats.
Analysts say a 25 percent tariff on imported cars would be a game-changer for the global auto industry, which is already reeling from uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariff drama.
It would mean another setback for Germany, Europe’s largest economy, where car makers such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are already struggling due to plunging demand, particularly in China.
MORE TARIFFS
Asked if he planned to also impose his tariffs on Canada and Mexico on March 4 after a 30-day suspension, Trump said the tariffs would start on April 2.
He has said he had paused the levies to see whether they would limit the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs across the border.
“The European Union is a different case than Canada, a different kind of case; they’ve really taken advantage of us in a different way,” he added.
“They don’t accept our cars, they don’t accept essentially our farm products. They use all sorts of reasons why not, and we accept everything from them, and we have about a $300 billion in deficit with the European Union.”
Asked what he would do if the EU retaliates, Trump said: “They can’t. I mean, they can try, but they can’t.” He added, “They can retaliate, but it cannot be a successful retaliation because we just go cold turkey; we don’t buy anymore.”
“If that happens, we win.”
In response to Trump’s comments, a spokesperson of the EU’s executive European Commission said, “The EU will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies.”
HEIGHTENED TENSIONS
The European Union “is the world’s largest free market” of 450 million people. “And it has been a boon for the United States,” the spokesperson added.
The threat of tariffs comes amid heightened transatlantic tensions after Trump shocked European leaders last week by calling Ukrainian President Zelenskyy a “dictator with no elections.”
Zelenskyy accused Trump of living in a “Russian disinformation bubble.”
Besides planning 25 percent tariffs on most goods imported from the United States’ biggest trading partners—Mexico, Canada, and the EU—Trump already imposed a 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports.
He has said reciprocal tariffs assessed against all countries based on their particular tariff rates on U.S. exports will be implemented in April.
(With additional reporting by the Worthy News Europe Bureau in Budapest.)
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