Trump highlights EU’s meeting request as trade tensions escalate

US President Donald Trump has said that the EU requested a meeting amid escalating trade tensions.

"I was extremely satisfied with the 50% Tariff allotment on the European Union, especially since they were slow walking [to put it mildly!], our negotiations with them," Caliber.Az reports, citing Trump’s message on Truth Social. 

"Remember, I am empowered to “SET A DEAL” for Trade into the United States if we are unable to make a deal, or are treated unfairly. I have just been informed that the E.U. has called to quickly establish meeting dates. This is a positive event, and I hope that they will, FINALLY, like my same demand to China, open up the European Nations for Trade with the United States of America. They will BOTH be very happy, and successful, if they do!!!” he added.

On May 24, The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump was pressing EU countries to increase tariffs on imports from China. The tariff hike was presented as a condition for reaching a trade agreement between the EU and Washington. However, the report noted that China remains a crucial market for EU exports, and the bloc is not interested in a trade war with Beijing. The US also aims for Japan and South Korea to impose similar tariffs on Chinese goods.

On May 6, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič informed the European Parliament that despite claims of a tariff freeze, the US had imposed duties on 70 per cent of EU exports, totaling 380 billion euros annually.

By Naila Huseynova