US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened the European Union (EU) and Canada with even higher tariffs if they try to join forces to harm the US economically. "If the European Union, along with Canada, try to harm the US economically, both countries will be hit with massive tariffs, much higher than the current tariffs," Trump posted on Truth Social.
Trump has given this threat at a time when trade tensions are increasing between the US and the European Union. The Trump administration has already imposed tariffs on many products on the European Union, to which the European Union has responded by imposing retaliatory tariffs on American products.
Just a few hours before this, Trump had announced a 25% tariff on foreign car imports and many of their components, to which Canada has reacted sharply.
Which cars will be subject to tariffs?
"We're going to put a 25 percent tariff on all cars that are not made in America. If they're made in America, there's no tariff on them," Trump said at the White House.
The White House said the 25% tariff would be imposed on imported passenger vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, cargo vans and light trucks, as well as on essential automobile parts such as engines, transmissions, powertrain parts and electrical components.
Earlier, after US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, Canada and the European Union had taken retaliatory measures.
Canadian response
Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs of 25% on US products, which apply to imports worth 30 billion Canadian dollars (about 20.6 billion US dollars). These tariffs include steel, aluminum, computers, sports equipment and other products.
EU response
The European Union increased tariffs on products such as American beef, poultry, bourbon, motorcycles, peanut butter and jeans. The purpose of these tariffs is to put pressure on American products and protect European industry.
These retaliatory tariffs have increased global trade tensions, which can directly impact various industries and consumers.
