Key points
- EU has treated us so terribly: Trump
- To impose tariffs on the EU in the future
- Trump wishes to see a more independent Europe with less economic and trade power: expert
ISLAMABAD: United States (US) President Donald Trump said Friday he was “absolutely” going to impose tariffs on the European Union in the future, as he prepared to slap levies on China, Mexico and Canada.
“Am I going to impose tariffs on the European Union? You want the truthful answer or shall I give you a political answer? Absolutely. The European Union has treated us so terribly,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, according to AFP.
Economic heavyweight
According to Politico, the EU is in no mood to beg for favorable treatment in the face of US President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has mapped out an upbeat vision of the EU as an economic heavyweight that was beating the US in many key respects and was open for business with countries such as Mexico and China — while Trump sets himself on a collision course with those nations.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos in her first major policy address since Trump’s January 20 inauguration for a second term, von der Leyen avoided direct criticism of the president but drew clear and stark contrasts with America, especially by underlining the EU’s commitment to the Paris climate pact that Washington is ditching.
“Biggest trading sector”
Europe, she said, still has the “biggest trading sector in the world” as well as “longer life expectancy, higher social and environmental standards, and lower inequalities than all our global competitors.”

In contrast to the maverick strongarm tactics of Trump, Europe’s “large and attractive market” was a predictable partner, von der Leyen said.
According to Virginia Tech News, President Donald Trump began his new term with European policy goals that include a swift end to the Ukraine war, a proposal for the United States to control Greenland, and using tariffs to counter a trade deficit with the European Union — all objectives much more easily voiced than accomplished.
“President Trump wishes to see a more independent Europe with less economic and trade power, but not an independent Europe that could challenge the position of the United States in the liberal international order,” said Virginia Tech international security expert Yannis Stivachtis.

“For all American presidents, Europe has been viewed as an essential partner for the United States. However, in this partnership, they see Europe as a junior partner rather than an equal partner.”
President Trump wishes to see a more independent Europe with less economic and trade power.” – Virginia Tech international security expert Yannis Stivachtis
“Moreover, the growing economic power of the EU has made it a strong economic competitor that the US needs to deal with. The difference among American presidents has been how much independent Europe should be and what means can be used to ensure that Europe remains a partner,” Stivachtis said, according to Virginia Tech News.