The European Commission said it would will react “firmly and immediately” against what it would consider “unjustified” barriers to free trade after US President Donald Trump said he would announce a 25 percent reciprocal tariff on European imports.
In his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump stated that the European Union was formed to “screw” the United States and that a 25% tariff on select European products was in the works. The EU “will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade,” a European Commission official told Reuters in response to a request for comment on Trump’s remarks.

“The EU will always protect European businesses, workers, and consumers from unjustified tariffs.”

Tariffs on ‘all of the things’

When questioned about tariff levels on the European Union, after mentioning levies on US neighbors Canada and Mexico, as well as China, Trump responded: “We have made a decision, and we’ll be announcing it very soon, and it’ll be 25 percent, generally speaking, and that’ll be on cars, and all of the things.”

This follows his announcement earlier this month of tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from the EU and other countries. Trump further said that the EU was founded “in order to screw the United States.” That is their objective, and they have done an excellent job of doing it. But now I am president.” Trump’s “America first” agenda overturns decades of US backing for European integration, with the foundation of the European Union in 1993 regarded as a historic triumph in resolving conflict on a continent devastated by two world wars.

Trade trumps partnership.

Now, the emphasis is on trade. Last year, the US recorded a $235.6 billion (€225 billion) trade deficit with the EU, according to official US data. Trump’s trade advisers see European value-added taxes as equivalent to tariffs. However, the EU views such integration as beneficial to US interests.

The European Union represents the world’s largest free market. And it has been a boon for the United States,” the commission spokesperson said, adding that by creating a large and integrated single market, “the EU has facilitated trade, reduced costs for US exporters, and harmonised standards and regulations across 27 countries”, making European investments “highly profitable.”