US President Donald Trump Wednesday said that the European Union was formed to “screw” the United States as he threatened to levy 25 percent tariffs against the bloc. Trump’s latest invective brought swift reaction from the EU, with one official saying the bloc had in fact been a “boon” for the United States.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the European Union was formed to “screw” the United States, launching a fresh diatribe at the longtime US partner as he once again threatened new 25 percent tariffs.
“Look, let’s be honest, the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States,” Trump told reporters as he gathered his cabinet for the first time. “That’s the purpose of it, and they’ve done a good job of it. But now I’m president.”
Trump told his cabinet meeting that the European Union has “really taken advantage of us”, echoing the claims of being treated “unfairly” that he has levied not only at the EU but at China, the media, Democrats and Canada.
The latest invective brought swift reaction from the EU, with one official saying the bloc had in fact been a “boon” for the United States.
“The European Union is the world’s largest free market. And it has been a boon for the United States,” said a European Commission source, adding the EU would respond “firmly and immediately” to new tariffs.
“We should work together to preserve these opportunities for our people and businesses. Not against each other,” the source said.
Trump’s month back in the White House has been marked by soaring friction with the EU bloc, with Germany’s likely next leader and other European nations expressing new support for gaining military independence from Washington.
The United States for decades has cheered on European integration, seeing the formation of the European Union in 1993 as a historic achievement to end conflict on a continent ravaged by two world wars.
Trump applauded Britain when it left the European Union and has taken a strident, isolationist “America First” policy, vowing to pursue self-interest above any abstract concepts of partnership.
The United States had a trade deficit to the 27-nation bloc of $235.6 billion last year, according to official US figures.
Asked if he had made a decision on tariff levels for the European Union, Trump added: “We’ll be announcing it very soon and it’ll be 25 percent, generally speaking.”
He said that cars would be among the products to be hit – grim news for Germany whose export-driven economy has been in a slump.
Trump has also slapped tariffs on US neighbours Canada and Mexico as well as rival China, citing issues including illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling.
