Trump: Tariffs of 25 percent on goods from the EU

Washington. US President Donald Trump has announced tariffs of 25 percent on imports from the European Union. "We have made a decision. We will announce it very soon," Trump said during a cabinet meeting in response to a question from a journalist. He then added: "It will be 25 percent, generally speaking, for cars and everything else." He again accused the Europeans of exploiting the USA.

Trump recently signed an order raising tariffs wherever the US is currently charging less than its trading partners. It doesn't matter whether these are strategic competitors like China or allies like the European Union, according to the White House. The tariffs are not yet in force. The Republican has instructed his team to work out appropriate punitive measures.

Trump repeatedly uses tariff threats as a negotiating tactic and constantly throws figures into the room. A few days ago he said that he wanted to impose tariffs of 25 percent on car imports into the USA. A concrete announcement was expected for April 2.

RND/dpa