Filenews 24 May 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to impose 50 percent tariffs on imports from the European Union, starting June 1, citing the failure of trade talks with Brussels.
In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump accused the EU of long-standing unfair trade practices, arguing that negotiations "lead nowhere." It also claimed that the Union was created with the aim of exploiting the United States commercially.
"The European Union, which was created with the primary purpose of benefiting the United States in TRADE, was very difficult to deal with," he wrote. "Strong trade barriers, VAT taxes, ridiculous corporate sanctions, non-monetary barriers, currency manipulation and unfair lawsuits against U.S. companies have led to a trade deficit of more than $250 billion. dollars a year, which is completely unacceptable."
Trump has announced that he will propose an immediate 50 percent tariff on all EU products, except those made within the United States.
"There will be no tariff if the product is made in the United States," he said.
Warning also to Apple
The US president also launched threats against Apple, announcing that the company would be subject to 25% tariffs on iPhones not made in the US. Following his statements, Apple's stock fell more than 2% in pre-conference trading.
"I've long informed Tim Cook that I expect iPhones sold in the U.S. to also be made in the U.S., not in India or elsewhere," Trump said.
"If that's not the case, then Apple will have to pay tariffs of at least 25 percent to the U.S."
These threats mark a revival of Trump's protectionist trade policy, with potential repercussions on transatlantic relations and global markets.
iefimerida.gr
