US President Donald Trump has suggested imposing a 25% tariff on imports from the European Union. “We have made a decision. We will announce it very soon” Trump said during a cabinet meeting in response to a journalist’s question. He then added, “It will be 25%, generally, for autos and everything else.” Trump again accused the Europeans of taking advantage of the US, citing the large trade deficit between the two entities.
Trump pointed to the significant trade deficit between the US and the European Union, which he aims to address with the tariffs. He also stated during the cabinet meeting that the United Nations was only established to take advantage of the US.
Trump has repeatedly used tariff threats as a negotiating tactic. He previously announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on auto imports into the US, with a concrete announcement expected on April 2.
The European Commission responded on Wednesday, stating that it would take immediate action against “unjustified obstacles to free and fair trade” following Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on EU imports. “The EU will react decisively and immediately to unjustified obstacles to free and fair trade, including if tariffs are used to question legitimate and non-discriminatory measures” a Commission spokesperson said in response to a request for comment on Trump’s statements.
“To protect European interests, we have no other choice but to react decisively and quickly” EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said last week in Washington. Additional US tariffs on EU products would create unnecessary export hurdles for companies and their employees on both sides of the Atlantic.