In a bold statement during the first cabinet meeting of his second presidency, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the European Union (EU) was established to \"screw\" the United States.
\"The European Union was formed to screw the United States – that's the purpose of it and they've done a good job of it,\" Trump told reporters in Washington, D.C. He further emphasized his administration's stance by stating, \"But now I'm president.\"
Trump announced plans to introduce a new tariff, saying, \"We have made a decision and we'll be announcing it very soon. It'll be 25 percent.\" This move is part of the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and the EU, with recent weeks seeing the U.S. administration threatening higher import taxes on European goods to match tariffs imposed on U.S. exports.
The European Commission swiftly responded to Trump's remarks, asserting that the EU is the world's largest free market and has been beneficial for the United States. \"The European Union is the world's largest free market. And it has been a boon for the United States,\" a European Commission source told AFP.
The source added that the EU would respond \"firmly and immediately\" to the proposed tariffs, signaling potential retaliatory measures.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also weighed in on the matter, rejecting Trump's characterization of the EU. On social media platform X, Tusk stated, \"The EU wasn't formed to screw anyone. Quite the opposite. It was formed to maintain peace, to build respect among our nations, to create free and fair trade, and to strengthen our transatlantic friendship. As simple as that.\"
The escalating rhetoric between the U.S. and the EU highlights the fragile nature of international trade relationships and the potential for further economic tensions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
