Trump Slams ‘Pathetic’ Europe with 20% Tariffs

The Trump administration announced a new set of tariffs targeting the European Union, set to begin rolling out in early April. According to a White House official, a 10 percent tariff will take effect in the early hours of April 5, with additional duties on what are described as the “worst offenders” starting April 9.

In a speech delivered from the White House Rose Garden, former President Donald Trump sharply criticized global trade practices: “For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,” he said.

Trump specifically called out the European Union, accusing it of being a tough and unfair trading partner. “Now we’re going to charge the European Union. They’re very tough. Very, very tough traders. You think of the EU as friendly, but they rip us off. It’s so sad, it’s pathetic,” he remarked. He went on to say the U.S. would impose a 20 percent tariff in response to EU practices.

The administration justifies the 20 percent rate as “kind reciprocal” trade policy. Officials argue that the EU currently imposes tariffs of approximately 39 percent on certain U.S. goods, and that halving that figure represents a fair starting point for rebalancing trade.

Particular concern from the U.S. stems not only from tariffs but also from what the administration views as the EU’s use of non-tariff barriers such as value-added taxes and strict technology regulations to discriminate against U.S. exports.

The move comes despite recent diplomatic efforts by the European Union to avoid a new trade conflict. EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič made two separate visits to Washington in hopes of defusing tensions, but negotiations failed to prevent the tariff announcement.

The European Commission has vowed to retaliate swiftly and comprehensively in response to the U.S. measures. In addition to actions it has already taken in response to earlier U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, it plans to counter Trump’s latest tariffs on autos and reciprocal duties with a unified and immediate response.