EU vows to defend interests after Trump threatens 50 percent tariffs

Following Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff on all products from the 27-member bloc, the European Union has stated that it will protect its interests.

Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s top trade official, disclosed in a post on X that he had a conversation with Howard Lutnick and the US Trade Representative on Friday.

He continued, “The EU is fully engaged and determined to secure a deal that works for both,” adding that the Commission is still willing to work in good faith toward an agreement.

“Trade between the EU and the US must be conducted in accordance with mutual respect, not threats.” Our interests are protected by us.

Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that talks with them “are going nowhere,” and that he “recommends” a significant 50% duty on the EU starting on June 1.

The Republican president made an important point later in the Oval Office when he said he wasn’t trying to reach an agreement with the EU but that he might delay the tariffs if more European companies made significant investments in the US.

Trump told the reporters, “I’m not looking for a deal.” The deal has been made, we say. It’s at 50 percent”.

Leaders in Europe warned that both sides will suffer from the tariffs.

German foreign minister Laurent Saint-Martin said the bloc favors de-escalation but is “ready to respond” while German economy minister Katherina Reiche said everything needed to be done “to ensure that the European Commission reaches a negotiated solution with the United States.”

In addition to China, which had its tariffs reduced earlier this month in order to facilitate further negotiations between Washington, DC, and Beijing, the tariffs would raise import taxes on its hundreds of billions of dollars worth of exported goods.

Trump announced a 20% tariff on the majority of EU goods in April, but it was put on hold until July 8 to allow for further negotiations.

Trump has argued that the EU sells more goods to its allies than it purchases from them, making it unfair to US businesses.

Trump also issued a warning on Friday that all iPhones sold in the US could be subject to a 25% import tax, along with a 25% import tax for the US tech giant Apple.