By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-02-01 09:56:27 | Updated at 2025-02-01 12:57:15
3 hours ago
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
REUTERS
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.
PA
Only 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”.
