In a recent post on Truth Social, President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern warning to the European Union (EU), demanding an increase in their purchases of U.
S. oil and gas or face the imposition of tariffs.
"I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way!!!" Trump announced in the early hours of Friday morning.
As reported by the Daily Caller, the EU has not directly responded to Trump's threat. However, a European Commission spokesperson, Olaf Gill, expressed the bloc's readiness to discuss its trade relationship with the United States.
"The EU & US have deeply integrated economies, with overall balanced trade/investment. Were ready to discuss with President-elect Donald Trump how we can further strengthen an already strong relationship, including by discussing our common energy sector interests," Gill tweeted on Friday.
Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commissioner, hinted that the EU might consider increasing its purchases of oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. instead of Russia, following Trump's return to the Oval Office. "We still get a lot of LNG from Russia and why not replace it [with] American LNG, which is cheaper for us and brings down our energy prices," von der Leyen stated in November, as quoted by Reuters.
These threats to Europe are part of what seems to be Trump's diplomatic strategy. In 2018, he imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminum imports.
He also warned the BRICS nationsBrazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and othersthat he would impose 100% tariffs if they attempted to develop a currency rivaling the U.S. dollar.
Trump's tariff threats have not been limited to foreign nations. In September, he warned American farming equipment manufacturer John Deere of a 200% tariff if they proceeded with plans to relocate their manufacturing to Mexico.
More recently, he threatened Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs on all imports unless they took more action to curb illegal immigration. Tom Homan, the incoming border czar, revealed on Wednesday that illegal immigration in some areas of the northern border has surged by 600-800%.
China, a country already familiar with Trump's tariffs from his first term, is likely to be the largest potential recipient of these tariffs. This follows a trade war sparked between the two nations during Trump's previous term.
Trump's campaign promises included imposing tariffs on all imports, and he even suggested a 60% tariff on all Chinese imports.
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