US President Donald Trump points, when he attends the annual Lunch of Friends of Ireland, organized by the American Chamber of Representatives Mike Johnson (R-la) in the American Capitol in Washington, USA, March 12, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein Reuters
US President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday that he would turn to his own European retaliation movement up to 25% tariffs in Washington on the import of steel and aluminum.
When the last tariffs entered into force on Wednesday, the European Union (EU) announced that it would impose counter tariffs for EUR 26 billion (28.33 billion dollars) American goods from April.
Later, Trump said on Wednesday that he would react to remedies with additional fees, telling journalists that the White House would be “making mutual tariffs, so that they charge us, we accuse them. Nobody can complain about it. “
Asked if he returned, Trump said, sitting alongside Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin: “Of course I will answer.”
“The problem is that our country did not answer (earlier),” he said, repeating the previous claim that the EU “was created to use the United States” – which is contrary to the specific goal of the block of further regional interests.
Asked if Ireland also benefited from Washington, Trump replied: “Of course they are:” When the American “massive (trade) deficit” with Ireland regretted, which he blamed for low rates of tax on the island.
Data in November From the Ireland Statistical Agency, CSO, show that the largest surplus of trade in goods in Ireland in 2023 was from the USA, with which Dublin had a commercial surplus of EUR 31 billion during this period.
Trade imbalance is one of Trump's greatest hugs with international trading partners. While the president imposed tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada at an early stage of his second term, the EU has so far avoided goals.
Washington, DC – March 12: President Donald J Trump meets with the prime minister of Ireland Michael Martin in an oval office in the White House on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Washington.
Jabin Botsford The Washington Post | Getty images
The block is definitely in his view, and Trump threatens 25% of the fees and the EU mad in the field of commercial imbalances with states.
Data from the European CommissionEU executive arm, said that the block has a trade surplus of EUR 155.8 billion from the USA for goods in 2023, but conducted a deficit of EUR 104 billion in the field of services. In general, trade in goods and services in the EU in 2023 was worth EUR 1.6 trillion, According to the EU.
Machines and vehicles constitute the largest part of EU exports to the USA according to the product group, followed by chemicals, other produced goods as well as medicinal and pharmaceutical products.
The tensions between Washington and Brussels have been ready since the inauguration of Trump in January, when the White House leader immediately signaled his intention to apply tariffs on the block.
“They really used us,” said Trump at the meeting of the office on February 26, adding: “They don't accept our cars, they basically do not accept our agricultural products. They use various reasons why not. And we accept everything. “
On Thursday, the relationship brought another turn When Trump said he was planning to apply a 200% tariff on alcohol from France and other European nationsAfter the EU finds that he will put import taxes on a number of American industrial and agricultural products in response to 25% of steel and aluminum tariffs.
The EU stated that the US tariffs would affect the export of a block of up to EUR 26 billion.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, grants a press statement regarding EU remedies to American tariffs in Strasbourg, France, March 12, 2025.
EU Xinhua Information Agency | Getty images
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the EU “must act to protect enterprises and consumers.”
“We deeply regret this measure (by the USA). Tariffs are taxes, are bad for business, and what is worse for consumers, they interfere with supply chains, bring uncertainty for the economy, jobs, prices are increased and nobody needs it, no side needs it. ” She said during a press conference.
Commercial connections between the USA and the EU are the largest in the world, “said von der Leyen, adding that the relationship had previously brought” prosperity and security for millions of people “and caused the creation of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
The two-part EU approach will cause re-suspended tariffs to EUR 8 billion of US exports, as well as a lot of new remedies for 18 billion euros of goods-in the von der Leyen movement previously described as “strong but proportional.”
“We will always remain open to negotiations” She added in a statement.