Trump vows 25% tariffs on EU at Cabinet meeting
The tariff threats serve to enhance a growing suspicion that the president views Europe as an adversary, not an ally
What happened
President Donald Trump held the first Cabinet meeting of his second term Wednesday, inviting billionaire Elon Musk to expound on his DOGE cost-cutting effort and ensuring that Cabinet members knew Musk had his full support. Trump also declined to say the U.S. would protect Taiwan if China invaded, said Ukraine will sign a mineral deal on Friday, suggested tariffs on Canada and Mexico could be postponed until April 2 and said 25% tariffs on the European Union were coming "very soon."
Who said what
"The European Union was formed in order to screw the United States," Trump said, and "they've done a good job of it." He said the tariffs "will be on cars and all other things." A European Commission spokesperson said the EU "has been a boon for the United States" and "will react firmly and immediately against unjustified" tariffs.
With nascent negotiations, "the eventual tariffs imposed on the EU could be less than 25%," The Wall Street Journal said. But after Trump's "embrace of Russia" and "warnings that Europe had better fend for itself," the tariff threats "added to the increasing view" in Europe that Trump "considers America's traditional allies in Europe as adversaries not just on trade, but on nearly everything," The New York Times said. The question is whether Trump is "merely indifferent to Europe" or feels "open hostility."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard will meet Thursday with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, confirmed Wednesday in a 56-43 vote, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is meeting with Trump to discuss trade, Ukraine and other trans-Atlantic topics.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
5 seriously spooky cartoons about HalloweenCartoons Artists take on the GOP boogeyman, a white sheet, and more
-
Political cartoons for October 25Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include hospital bill trauma, Independence Day, and more
-
Roasted squash and apple soup recipeThe Week Recommends Autumnal soup is full of warming and hearty flavours
-
‘Congratulations on your house, but maybe try a greyhound instead’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump wants to exert control over federal architectureThe Explainer Beyond his ballroom, Trump has several other architectural plans in mind
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Whistles emerge as Chicago’s tool to fight ICEIN THE SPOTLIGHT As federal agents continue raiding the city, communities have turned to noisemakers to create a warning system
-
Will California’s Proposition 50 kill gerrymandering reform?Talking Points Or is opposing Trump the greater priority for voters?
-
‘The trickle of shutdowns could soon become a flood’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
