US President Donald Trump holds a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, February 26, 2025.
Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25% of tariffs on imports from the European Union, claiming that the economic and political block was formed by “harsh” now
On Wednesday, during the first meeting of the cabinet of his second term of office, Trump said that duties against Canada and Mexico would take effect on April 2. And that his trade measures would include 25% of the EU goods tariffs.
“We’ll announce that very quickly,” he told reporters. “It will be [a] 25% [tariff] Generally speaking, it will be on cars and all other things. “
He added, “They really used us … They do not accept our cars, do not accept, in essence, our agricultural products. They use all kinds of reasons why not. And we accept all of them.”
The president has made a priority to fight with what he considers to be unjust trade relations with numerous American closest neighbors and commercial partners, citing American permanent trade deficits – in which he imports more goods and services than exports – as evidence.
Trump, without quoting evidence, claimed that the EU was formed to undermine the USA
“I adore the countries of Europe. I guess I’m from there at some point, a long time ago, right? … but [the] The European Union has been formed to include the United States … This is the purpose of it, and they did it well. But now I’m the president, “he said.
The EU was founded after the implementation of the 1993 Maastricht Agreement, based on the post -war feelings of European unity and quote establishing an internal market and achieving sustainable development among its goals.
European Commission data show That the EU had a trade surplus of 155.8 billion euros ($ 159.6 billion) with the US for goods in 2023, but launched a deficit of 104 billion euros to services. Machines and vehicles make up the largest piece of EU exports to the USA groups of products, followed by chemicals, other goods produced and medicinal and pharmaceutical products.
EU import tariffs would probably be translated In more prices for US consumers, with economists who have already warned of a potentially inflation influence of imported duties.
Europe has glued again
European markets They move to the sharp lower open, and Trump’s tariff threatening raised the EU, which earlier threatened to respond to measures in a “proportional way”.
The European Commission, EU Executive Hand, replied to Trump comments, promising to “respond firmly and immediately against unjustified obstacles to free and FER trade, including when the tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discrimination policies.”
Responding to Trump’s claims about the origin of the EU, the Commission noted that the EU used USA -u
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“The European Union is the world’s largest free market. And this was a boon for the United States. By creating a large and integrated unique market, the EU has facilitated trade, reduced US exporters’ costs and harmonized standards and regulations in 27 countries. As a result, US investments in Europe are very profitable,” said Commission.
The EU has now invited to work with it “to preserve these opportunities for our people and companies. Not against each other.”
The odds of tariffs are not new, with Trump already threatening the EU and the UK. The White House leader still had before signaled that an agreement could be made with Britainthat has a much more balanced trade relationship with the USA
