In a bold statement during his first cabinet meeting of the second presidency, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the European Union (EU) was created to \"screw\" the United States. 🇺🇸🇪🇺
\"The European Union was formed to screw the United States – that's the purpose of it and they've done a good job of it,\" Trump told reporters in Washington, D.C. He added, \"But now I'm president.\"
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump announced forthcoming tariffs on European goods, stating, \"We have made a decision and we'll be announcing it very soon. It'll be 25 percent.\" 📈
In response, the European Commission quickly defended the EU, emphasizing its role as the world's largest free market and its positive impact on the U.S. economy. A spokesperson remarked, \"The European Union is the world's largest free market. And it has been a boon for the United States.\"
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also fired back on social media, clarifying the EU's purpose: \"The EU wasn't formed to screw anyone. Quite the opposite. It was formed to maintain peace, to build respect among our nations, to create free and fair trade, and to strengthen our transatlantic friendship. As simple as that.\"
These statements come amid rising tensions as the U.S. administration hints at imposing higher import taxes on European goods, aiming to match tariffs already placed on U.S. exports.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
