United States President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports from the European Union, claiming that the bloc was created to “screw” the United States.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump said the decision on tariffs had already been made and would be announced “very soon.” He specified that the tariffs would cover cars and other imports from the EU.
“It’ll be 25 percent, generally speaking,” Trump told reporters. “Look, let’s be honest, the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. That’s the purpose of it, and they’ve done a good job of it. But now I’m president.”
Trump argued that the EU imposes higher tariffs on American products while enjoying greater access to US markets. Currently, the EU levies a 10 percent tariff on US vehicle imports—four times the tariff the US applies on European cars. The US also enforces a 25 percent tariff on imported pick-up trucks.
The European Commission quickly pushed back against Trump’s claims, vowing to “react firmly and immediately” to any unjustified trade barriers.
“The EU will always protect European businesses, workers, and consumers from unjustified tariffs,” a spokesperson said, describing the EU as “a boon” for US trade and economic relations.
Trump’s remarks also triggered criticism from European political figures. Former French ambassador to the US, Gérard Araud, commented on social media platform X that “Trump hates the EU” but “doesn’t know exactly what it is.” Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt said Trump’s view of the EU’s origins was “seriously distorted,” noting that the bloc was established to prevent war on the European continent.
Trump’s renewed trade threats come amid growing concerns about his “America First” foreign policy stance, which has strained relations between Washington and Brussels.
Beyond trade, European leaders have expressed unease over Trump’s commitment to NATO and his approach to Russia. Trump’s promises to end the war in Ukraine have raised fears that his administration may favor a peace deal that legitimizes Moscow’s territorial gains.
Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz recently called for Europe to reduce its reliance on the US, warning that NATO’s future is uncertain. “Americans, or at least this portion of the Americans, care very little about the fate of Europe,” Merz said, urging the EU to build independent defense capabilities.
In response to these concerns, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended NATO’s role but criticized European allies for underfunding their militaries.
“My reaction is NATO is not in jeopardy,” Rubio said in an interview with Fox News. “The only thing that puts NATO in jeopardy is the fact that we have NATO Allies who barely have militaries.”
As tensions escalate, the looming threat of US tariffs could spark a major trade dispute between the world’s largest economic powers, adding another layer of complexity to transatlantic relations.
