The POTUS has threatened to apply an eye-watering tax on EU goods
President Trump has threatened the European Union with 200 percent tariffs on specific goods if they don’t remove what he calls a ‘nasty’ tax.
On March 13, President Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to unleash a scathing attack on the European Union, calling it one of the “most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the world.” His fiery remarks come as he threatens to impose eye-watering tariffs on European goods, particularly targeting alcohol.
Trump claimed that the EU was “formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States”, accusing them of imposing a “nasty” 50 percent tariff on whisky.
On March 13, President Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to launch a blistering attack on the European Union, labeling it one of the “most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the world.” His harsh criticism comes as he threatens to impose eye-popping tariffs on European goods, particularly alcohol.
Trump argued that the EU was “formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States”, blasting the union for imposing a “nasty” 50 percent tariff on whisky. The EU confirmed that its 50 percent levy applies to €26 billion (approximately $28 billion) worth of U.S. goods, including spirits like bourbon whiskey.
In response, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, condemned Trump’s approach, stressing that it was “bad for business” and consumers alike.
She emphasized: “The trade relations between the European Union and the U.S. are the largest in the world. They’ve brought prosperity and security to millions of people, and trade has created millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Regarding the U.S.’s 25 percent tariffs on metal, von der Leyen said: “We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs disrupt supply chains, create economic uncertainty, and put jobs at risk. Prices will rise—both in Europe and the United States. The European Union must act to protect consumers and businesses.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, defended the EU’s response, describing the countermeasures announced on March 13 as “strong but proportionate.”
“As the U.S. applies tariffs worth $28 billion, we are responding with countermeasures worth €26 billion,” she explained. “This matches the economic scope of the U.S. tariffs.” Von der Leyen confirmed that the counter-tariffs would begin on April 1, with full implementation slated for April 13. However, she emphasized that the EU remains open to further negotiations with the U.S.
“We firmly believe that, in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs,” she continued. “We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue.”
This exchange comes amid increasingly strained relations between the U.S. and its neighbors, particularly Canada, as the trade war intensifies. President Trump has made it clear he intends to impose harsh sanctions on U.S. trading partners, citing issues related to drugs and illegal immigration crossing the U.S. borders.
The Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s tariffs, even threatening to impose a 25 percent surcharge on electricity, which would affect 1.5 million Americans across New York, Michigan, and Minnesota by cutting off their electricity supply entirely. This move was meant to retaliate if Trump continued escalating the trade tensions.
However, when Trump responded by threatening a 50 percent tariff on aluminum and steel imports from Canada, Ford temporarily suspended the plan, acknowledging the economic implications of such a move.
