The US President threatened imports from the bloc with a 25 % tariff
US President Donald Trump claimed that the European Union was designed to weaken America and issued new threats of 25 % of the customs tariffs on all imports of the bloc.
Trump made statements on Wednesday at the White House during his first meeting in the Cabinet during his second term as president. The trade row between the United States and the European Union has been escalating since Trump announced plans to introduce a wide range of import duties in an attempt to address what he describes as a commercial imbalance.
“See, let’s be honest, the European Union has been formed to inhibit the United States, and this is the purpose of this,” Trump told the meeting. “They have done a good job in that. But I am now president.”
He reiterated that his administration plans to impose a tariff on the imports of the European Union “Very soon.”
“It will be 25 %, in general, and that will be on cars and all other things,” Trump said, describing the European Union “A different case from Canada … they really benefited from us in a different way.”
The United States and the European Union found themselves in a commercial dispute during the first period of Trump, when it presented a 25 % tariff on European steel imports and 10 % on aluminum, which the European Union responded with counter -measures. Trump also threatened customs duties on European cars, although those who have never come. In total, the two sides exchanged duties on goods worth more than $ 10 billion.
As part of the current tariff batch, Trump imposed 25 % duties on all steel and aluminum imports from the European Union starting from March 4, which increased the customs tariff. Howard Lootnick, his candidate for the American Trade Representative and Minister of Commerce, also directed to propose new fees on the basis of each country by April 1 in an attempt to restore balance.
Since he took office on January 20, Trump slapped a 25 % tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10 % on Chinese goods, noting concerns about illegal immigration and drug trafficking. However, in the aftermath of the talks with Mexican and Canadian leaders, this customs tariff was postponed for 30 days after the two countries agreed to enhance border security.
European Commission President Ursula von der Layen condemned the latest American tariff, expressing “Deep remorse” On the decision. She said earlier this month that the fees are on steel and aluminum “He will not go without an answer.”
He was asked on Wednesday, whether the European Union countries would split from any American tariff, Trump answered: “They cannot, I mean they can try, but they cannot.”
