President Donald Trump has warned that he will implement a 50% tariff on the European Union amid stalled negotiations.
“The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable.”
“Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025,” he wrote. “There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Earlier this month, the European Union proposed countermeasures on up to $107.2 billion of U.S. imports if negotiations with the White House fail.
“The list put to consultation concerns imports from the US worth €95 billion, covering a broad range of industrial and agricultural products. The Commission is also consulting on possible restrictions on certain EU exports of steel scrap and chemical products to the US worth €4.4 billion,” the EU explained. “This consultation is designed to address both the US universal tariffs and the tariffs on cars and car parts.”
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement at the time, “Tariffs are already having a negative impact on the global economies. The E.U. remains fully committed to finding negotiated outcomes with the U.S. We believe there are good deals to be made for the benefit of consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”
