Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union warned that it would respond “firmly” if US President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to impose tariffs on imports from the EU.
The EU would respond firmly to any trading partner that unfairly or arbitrarily imposes tariffs on EU goods,
stated the European Commission.
A commission spokesperson said that the 27-member bloc was not acquainted at this stage with any additional tariffs being charged on EU products. The spokesperson stressed that the EU’s trade and investment association with the US was the largest in the world. The use of tariffs was “hurtful on all sides,” the spokesman stated, and the EU lamented Trump’s decision to set them on Canada, Mexico and China.
Why does Trump claim unfair trade practices hurt the US?
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday, January 31, 2025, an intention to tariff the European Union, spiking tensions in transatlantic trade relations. While speaking in the Oval Office, Trump clarified that he “absolutely” planned to target the EU; his reasons included grievances about unfair trade practices and a significant imbalance in trade between the U.S. and the bloc.
Trump blasted the EU as treating the United States “horribly” in trade matters and reiterated long-standing complaints about high-value-added taxes (VAT) and limited market access for American goods, particularly agricultural products and automobiles.
Trump has already launched wide-ranging tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China. Trump levied a 25% tariff on the importations coming into Canada and Mexico and also placed 10% duties on the Chinese imported goods. He triggered a strong response in kind from the importing countries.
