Trump threatens to impose tariffs on the EU.

On December 20, US President-elect Donald Trump threatened the European Union (EU) with tariffs if it did not reduce the "huge trade gap" with the US through oil and gas purchases.

"I told the European Union that they have to make up the huge deficit with the U.S. by buying our oil and gas in large quantities. Otherwise, the only option is tariffs!!!" Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social early on December 20 (U.S. time), according to AFP.

US President-elect Donald Trump speaks at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 16.

According to US data, imports from the EU totaled $553.3 billion in 2022, while exports to the bloc amounted to $350.8 billion. This resulted in a US trade deficit with the EU of $202.5 billion in 2022.

Responding to a question about Trump's threat of tariffs, EU spokesman Olof Gill said the 27-nation bloc was ready to negotiate, noting that the US also enjoys a "significant services trade surplus with the EU".

"We are open to discussing with President-elect Trump how we can further strengthen our already strong relationship, including discussing our shared interests in the energy sector," Gill said at a press conference.

China, the "underwear capital," prepares for a new round of tariffs from Trump.

Last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested to President-elect Trump that the US could supply more liquefied natural gas to the EU to replace Russian energy sources.

Earlier this month, the EU signed a major trade agreement with four South American countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay – to create a free trade area with 700 million customers. Von der Leyen said the agreement would build trade bridges when "strong winds are blowing in the opposite direction, toward isolation and fragmentation," a statement widely believed to be related to Trump's threat of increased tariffs.

Some analysts suggest that Trump's threat of increased tariffs may be empty rhetoric, or an attempt to gain leverage in future trade negotiations when he takes office next month.

Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly stressed that tariffs, when used appropriately, would benefit the American economy , according to AFP. "Tariffs will make our country rich," Trump told reporters at his Florida residence this week.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-trump-doa-danh-thue-len-eu-185241220202114557.htm