US- EU trade war: President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on imports from the European Union claiming that the EU was established to sabotage American economic interests.
Trump restated his long-standing grievances on trade imbalances during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, claiming that the United States benefits little from its openness to European goods.
“In general, it will be 25%,” he informed reporters. “Cars and many other products will be affected by that.”
He further said that while the United States still allows European exports, the EU “does not accept U.S. cars and farm products.”
At the moment, the U.S. retains a 25% tariff on imported pickup trucks while the EU levies a 10% tariff on U.S. automobile imports. The U.S. levies a 2.5% tax on European passenger cars.
The European Commission responded quickly to Trump’s remarks, denouncing his assertions and cautioning against protectionist measures.
A spokesperson said, “The EU will react swiftly and forcefully to any unwarranted trade barriers, including tariffs that aim to undermine legitimate and equitable trade policies.”
“The EU is still dedicated to shielding European consumers, workers, and companies from unnecessary tariffs.”
Politicians and diplomats from Europe reacted swiftly to Trump’s comments.
The former French ambassador to Washington, Gérard Araud, said on X that Trump despises the EU. “He hates it, but he doesn’t really know what it is.”
Carl Bildt, the former prime minister of Sweden, denounced Trump’s viewpoint as “deeply misleading.”
“The EU was actually created to avoid wars on the European continent,” Bildt clarified.
