Trump calls for 50% tariff on EU, says he's 'not looking for a deal' with bloc
www.cnbc.com
President Donald Trump believes European Union proposals have not matched those from other trading partners, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

  • President Donald Trump on Friday said he is “recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union” after complaining that trade negotiations have stalled.

  • The EU “has been very difficult to deal with,” Trump wrote. “Our discussions with them are going nowhere!”

The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with. Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable. Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

  • Gutek8134@lemmy.worldEnglish
    611·
    2 days ago

    America bonks Canada and Mexico saying "Tariff!" America wants to bonk EU "Ta- What is that?" EU with an RPG: "Ist meine Trade Enforcement Regulation" America backs down "I go to China! You are very, very bad! I tariff you soon!"

    IIRC Trade Enforcement Regulation allows, among other options, for ignoring other country’s patents and trademarks until someone else says it’s time to stop. Correct me if I’m wrong.

    Edit: Seems like I misremembered, because I can’t find it mentioned in the regulation 654/2014, my bad

    Edit 2: Okay, I think I’ve found it - 654/2014 was amended by 2021/167, and as far as I understand legalese THAT one allows for suspension of intellectual property rights. I’ll wait with un-stroking the original paragraph until someone more knowledgeable confirms (or denies) my understanding