US President Donald Trump has vowed to launch a trade war against the EU, promising “tariffs all the way”.
Speaking on Friday, Trump said: “Am I going to impose tariffs on the European Union? Do you want the truthful answer or should I give you a political answer? Absolutely, absolutely.”
He added that the EU had treated the US “terribly”, while addressing reporters in the Oval Office.
In recent months, Trump has threatened to start a trade war with the EU, posting on Truth Social in December: “I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way!!!”
In recent months, Trump has threatened to start a trade war with the EU
REUTERSAlthough his remarks on Friday confirmed these threats, he did not specify what the tariffs would be or on what goods, instead saying he plans on “doing something substantial”.
During his first term as President, Trump sparked a trade war with the bloc after imposing tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico.
This prompted the EU to retaliate with tariffs on American goods, such as whiskey, denim and motorcycles, worth around $6billion.
MORE LIKE THIS:
- 'It stinks!' Starmer told to follow Trump's lead and leave WHO, former director says
- Starmer defies Trump by 'committing to Chagos deal' just days after Mauritius 'secured' more concessions from UK
- 'Embarrassing!' Eyewitness to Washington DC crash scolds Donald Trump's 'political theatre' in press conference: 'He's jumping to conclusions'
The European Comission has said it is prepared to hit back again if the US President levies tariffs during his second term.
According to US Census Bureau data, the EU exported nearly 20 percent of its total exports to the US in 2023, making America their second largest trading partner.
Trump also announced 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as 10 percent on imports from China, which he said would go into effect on Saturday.
After Trump’s threats, EU officials have been deliberating on how to respond.
The bloc’s trade chief Maroš Šefčovič said Brussels is “ready to engage” with its American partner.
PAOnly days after the US President’s inauguration, the bloc’s trade chief Maroš Šefčovič said Brussels is “ready to engage” with its American partner.
However, desires to cooperate on global trade has not always been reciprocated by Trump in the past.
Last weekend, Trump forced Colombia into accepting deportation flights of migrants out of the US through threats of imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all imported goods.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said the “events make clear to the world that America is respected again”.
