In a bold statement during his second presidential cabinet meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump accused the European Union (EU) of being established with the intent to undermine the United States.
\"The European Union was formed to screw the United States – that's the purpose of it and they've done a good job of it,\" Trump told reporters in Washington, D.C. He went on to emphasize his administration's commitment by announcing forthcoming tariff measures. \"We have made a decision and we'll be announcing it very soon. It'll be 25 percent,\" he stated.
The European Commission swiftly responded to Trump's remarks, highlighting the positive aspects of the EU-U.S. relationship. \"The European Union is the world's largest free market. And it has been a boon for the United States,\" a spokesperson from the European Commission said, according to AFP. The source also assured that the EU would react \"firmly and immediately\" to the proposed tariffs.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk took to social media to counter Trump's narrative, stating, \"The EU wasn't formed to screw anyone. Quite the opposite. It was formed to maintain peace, to build respect among our nations, to create free and fair trade, and to strengthen our transatlantic friendship. As simple as that.\"
This latest development adds to the growing tension between the U.S. and its European allies. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has signaled a willingness to impose higher import taxes on European goods, justifying them as a balance to tariffs previously placed on U.S. exports.
The potential implementation of a 25 percent tariff could have significant implications for global trade dynamics, impacting industries and economies across both regions. Analysts are closely monitoring the situation, assessing the possible responses from the EU and the ripple effects on international markets.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
