The president’s threats to slap duties on goods imported from the European Union are part of a pattern of directing the harshest penalties at the United States’ closest allies.The latest message from President Trump is that Europe is next in line for punitive tariffs. In recent days, he has repeatedly stated his intention to impose tariffs on the 27 members of the European Union.
In an interview with the BBC on Sunday evening, Mr. Trump confirmed that tariffs “will definitely happen with the European Union” and that they will be implemented “pretty soon.” He reiterated this threat on Monday, citing deficits in auto and farm products. While new tariffs were set to go into effect on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico on Tuesday, Mexico and Canada were granted a one-month delay on Monday.
Mr. Trump also accused the European Union of taking advantage of the United States for years and stated that they cannot continue to do so. This aggressive stance towards America’s closest economic and military allies has been a common thread in the recent flurry of executive orders and policy reversals related to international trade, aid, and agreements.
One reason for this is the large trade deficits that the United States has with Mexico, Canada, and the European Union, in addition to China. According to Agathe Demarais, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, Mr. Trump is fixated on these trade deficits and may be targeting these countries first because he believes he can achieve quick wins.
It is clear that the Trump administration is taking a hardline approach towards trade, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the relationships between the United States and its allies.
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