EU said it will reply ‘firmly and immediately’ to ‘unjustified’ trade barriers, signaling it’s ready to retaliate against levies

Summary

Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on the European Union, claiming the bloc was “formed to screw the United States.”

While details are pending, he suggested the levies would target cars and other imports. The EU, a major U.S. trading partner, has vowed immediate retaliation, with potential tariffs impacting $29.3 billion in exports.

French President Emmanuel Macron had attempted to dissuade Trump, urging focus on China instead.

Critics, including economists and conservative media, warn the tariffs could harm the U.S. economy.

  • NatakuNox@lemmy.worldEnglish
    621·
    22 hours ago

    The EU was formed to screw the US… THE EU WAS FORMED TO SCREW THE US?! Bruh dude is possibly channeling Hitler and Stalin simultaneously. That’s the only thing that makes sense. Or he’s terminally dumb. One of the two.

    • Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      7·
      11 hours ago

      Well, his definition of “screw over” is probably when the other side of a negotiation pools resources to be able to negotiate in a balanced way.

      In that mindset, workers make Unions to “screw over” big companies.

      Because that’s essentially what the EU is: a polling of resources of many small and a few mid-sized countries to on Internation Trade matters negotiate as a block and hence in a balanced way with large countries like the US and China.

      Given Trump’s background of using his money to take advantage of contractors for his companies by using lawsuits with no hope of winning meant only to drain out the resources of others and make them quite, it makes perfectly sense that he would see those others pooling resources to be able to face him as “screwing him over” and in that “logic” the EU being created “screw over” the US.

      • Ashelyn@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        3·
        10 hours ago

        It’s the same “I’ll respect you if you respect me” dynamic in an imbalanced-power system.

        I’m screwing you over if I personally feel bad for what I’m doing to you (never happens, therefore I’m always fair). You’re screwing me over if you inconvenience me.