Donald Trump threatens European Union with 200% tariffs on specific goods if they don't remove 'nasty' tax
President Trump has issued a warning to the European Union, threatening 200 percent tariffs on certain products if they fail to eliminate what he describes as a 'nasty' tax. Writing on his Truth Social platform today (March 13), the US President criticized the EU as one of the 'most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the world' as he warns of substantial tariffs on European Union exports including alcoholic beverages.
The POTUS stated this action stems from the EU being "created specifically to exploit the United States" and imposing a 'nasty' 50 percent tariff on whisky.
Trump added: "If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES."
"This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S," he further remarked.
This warning follows the EU commission's tax increase as a counter-measure against the US, after Washington imposed 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The EU indicated its 50 percent charge applies to €26 billion (approximately $28 billion) of US goods, including bourbon whiskey.
In an official response, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen criticized Trump's approach, claiming it is 'bad for business' and consumers alike. She stated: "The trade relations between the European Union and the US are the biggest in the world. They have brought prosperity and security to millions of people, and trade has created millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic."
Regarding the US' 25 percent metal tariffs, she noted: "We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States."
"The European Union must act to protect consumers and business."
Ursula von der Leyen stated the EU's countermeasures revealed today are 'strong but proportionate.'
"As the US are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth €26 billion. This matches the economic scope of the US tariffs."
She promised the counter-tariffs will begin on April 1 and fully implement by April 13 while maintaining options for additional talks with the US.
"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," the EU leader continued. "We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue."
This development emerges as Trump has seemingly worsened relations with neighboring Canada amid the growing trade dispute and mutual tariff threats.
The President signaled early in his second term his intention to enforce harsh sanctions on US trading allies, citing concerns about drugs and illegal border crossings.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also warned he would implement a 25 percent increase on electricity costs - or potentially cut off power entirely to 1.5 million Americans across New York, Michigan and Minnesota if Trump continued to 'escalate' the situation.
However, when Trump responded that Canada would face a 50 percent increase on aluminum and steel, Ford decided to temporarily halt the proposal.
