President Donald Trump took questions in the Oval Office on Friday after signing a series of executive orders related to nuclear power. Several of the questions focused on his announcement of additional tariffs on the European Union and companies making products overseas — like Apple.
“I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. In the exchange with reporters, Trump said he was not looking for a deal with the EU in order to lower the tariffs. The U.S. stock market has swung wildly in recent weeks, losing value when Trump raises the tariffs and then regaining it once he announces deals to lower them again.
“President, you are a deal-maker, deal-breaker. What are you hoping to achieve with a 50 percent tariff on the EU?”
“Well, I think this is… There is no tariff, because what they’ll do is they’ll send their companies into the U.S. and build their plants. You know, we have, I guess, over $12 trillion practically committed. You look at other presidents, they haven’t had a trillion dollars for a year, for two years, for three years. We have numbers. Nobody’s ever seen numbers like we have,” Trump replied, adding:
If they build their plant here, then they have no tariff at all.
“Are you looking for a deal in nine days? Will you be able to do that, sir?” followed up the reporter.
“I’m not looking for any deal. I mean, we’ve set the deal. It’s at 50 percent. But again, there are no tariffs if they build a plant here,” replied Trump in an apparent break from his previous position that the tariffs were a reciprocal negotiating tactic to try and force other countries to drop their tariffs.
“Now, if somebody comes in and wants to build a plant here, I can talk to them about a little bit of a delay. But, you know, while they’re building their plant, which is something I think that would be appropriate, maybe, we’ll determine that,” he added.
“Is there anything the EU can do?” the reporter pressed.
“I don’t know. We’re going to see what happens. But right now, it’s going on June 1st. And that’s the way it is. No, they haven’t treated us properly. They haven’t treated our country properly. They banded together to take advantage of us. And the people behind me know, because they had some of that with their industry. But generally, you know, we signed a great deal with the United Kingdom. We have numerous other deals that are ready to be signed. We’ve signed a deal with China. We have some
Watch the clip above via Fox News.