Trump accuses EU of exploiting US and promises 25 per cent tariff
US president Donald Trump has claimed the European Union was founded to “screw” the United States. He has vowed to impose tariffs on cars and other goods.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Washington on Wednesday, Trump said the EU “was formed to screw the United States” and that it had “done a good job” of exploiting the country, particularly through its trade surplus. He said he had made a decision to impose tariffs “that would be announced very soon”.
“It will be 25 per cent, generally speaking, and that will be on cars and all other things,” he added. He did not specify whether it would apply solely to European products, or worldwide imports. “They’ve really taken advantage of us,” he said, particularly criticising EU restrictions on US cars and agricultural goods.
“It will be 25 per cent, generally speaking, and that will be on cars and all other things”
The EU dismissed Trump’s claims. "The European Union is the world's largest free market. And it has been a boon for the United States," a European Commission official said, adding the EU would respond "firmly and immediately" to new tariffs.
Trump, however, rejected concerns over retaliation, insisting the US market was too valuable.
“They can try, but they can’t,” he said, arguing that Europe’s economy is more dependent on US consumers than vice versa. He also suggested that if the EU imposed countermeasures, the US could simply stop buying European goods altogether. “We just go cold turkey,” he said. “And if that happens, we win.”
US president Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House © PHOTO JIM WATSON / AFP
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