US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that his administration is considering imposing tariffs on the European Union and warned Canada and Mexico over trade imbalances and immigration policies.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump criticized longstanding trade practices and vowed to take action to protect US interests.
Asked if he is considering imposing tariffs on any other countries, Trump confirmed that tariffs on the EU are likely, citing an over $300 billion trade deficit.
鈥淚t will definitely happen with the European Union,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e really taken advantage of us...They don鈥檛 take our cars, they don鈥檛 take our farm products, they take almost nothing, and we take everything from them.鈥�
He described the EU鈥檚 trade practices as 鈥渁n atrocity鈥� and hinted at imminent action.
鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 say there鈥檚 a timeline, but it鈥檚 going to be pretty soon,鈥� he added.
Asked about retaliatory measures from Canada, Trump did not rule out increasing tariffs.
鈥淲ell, it could happen if they do anything,鈥� he said.
As part of the new tariffs announced Saturday, Trump said that duties could increase if the targeted countries retaliate.
Canada announced 25% tariffs on American goods.
He accused Canada of restricting US products, including farm goods and energy, while benefiting from open US markets.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a one-way street,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e subsidize Canada by about $200 billion a year, and for what? We don鈥檛 get anything out of it.鈥�
Trump also revealed plans to speak with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican officials on Monday.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 expect anything very dramatic,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e put tariffs on; they owe us a lot of money, and I鈥檓 sure they鈥檙e going to pay.鈥�
He emphasized the need for Canada and Mexico to address trade imbalances and curb illegal immigration.
鈥淭hey have to balance out their trade numbers,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e got to stop people from pouring into our country.鈥�
Trump also linked trade policies to drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl.
鈥淲e have to stop fentanyl,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f they don鈥檛 stop it, the tariffs are going to get worse鈥攁 lot worse.鈥�
He acknowledged potential short-term economic pain but argued that long-term gains would outweigh the costs.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been helping everybody for years and...I don鈥檛 think they appreciate it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to change that fast and make America great again.鈥�
On Saturday, Trump signed an executive order that imposes 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico which take effect at 12.01 a.m. (0501GMT) Tuesday. He also announced a 10% tariff on Chinese imports.
By Yasin Gungor
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr