US President Donald Trump recently announced that tariffs on goods from the European Union (EU) will be imposed soon. He claimed that the EU has taken advantage of the United States. “They take almost nothing, and we take everything from the millions of cars, tremendous amounts of food and farm products,” he remarked.
This declaration came shortly after Trump signed an executive order imposing 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, alongside a 10% tariff on Chinese imports. As a result, these actions triggered retaliatory measures from Canada, Mexico, and China. Nonetheless, Trump defended his decision, stating, “The United States has been ripped off by virtually every country in the world.”
Trump’s Position on UK Trade
In contrast to his stance on the EU, Trump expressed a more favorable opinion about the UK. He praised Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a “very nice man” and noted their positive relationship. Trump explained, “We’ve had a couple of meetings. We’ve had numerous phone calls. We’re getting along very well.”
Although Trump admitted that the UK has been “out of line” in its trade with the US, he remained optimistic about resolving the issue. He said, “We’ll see what happens, it’ll happen,” when asked if the UK would face tariffs. Trump added, “I’m sure that one, I think that one, can be worked out.”
Trump’s Focus Shifts to the EU
While Trump softened his rhetoric on the UK, he maintained his tough stance on the EU. He stated, “It will definitely happen with the European Union,” referring to the imposition of tariffs. Trump emphasized that the European Union had taken advantage of the US and that this situation needed to change.
EU Responds Firmly to Potential Tariffs
The European Union quickly responded to Trump’s threat. A spokesperson for the European Commission stated that the EU would “respond firmly” if the US imposes tariffs on EU goods. The spokesperson also expressed regret over the tariffs already imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China, highlighting the importance of strong trade relations with the US.
The EU reiterated its stance that tariffs increase business costs, harm workers, and disrupt economies. The spokesperson further emphasized that the EU supports low tariffs to foster growth and economic stability. However, they warned that the EU would take action if the US imposes unfair tariffs on European goods.