President Donald Trump has issued an overnight threat of placing “a much larger” tariffs on the European Union and Canada than if they would work together to retaliate in response to his tariffs.
Trump posed a threat early on Thursday with a social post of truth.
“If the European Union is working with Canada to inflict economic harm on the US, then a massive tariff that is much larger than is currently planned will be placed on both sides to protect the best friends each of these countries have ever had!” Trump said in the post.
Trump hints that he will target the EU and Canada next week with his planned “liberation day” mutual tariff rollout. And although he has threatened him separately to raise his duties against both in recent weeks, he has not yet implemented any direct actions against them.
On Wednesday, Trump announced that tariffs will be imposed on all cars and auto parts not manufactured in the United States starting April 3.
The EU and Canada have yet to issue formal statements on unity to harm the United States, but both have shown that they can retaliate against the latest levy.
European Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the EU will “continue to seek negotiated solutions while protecting economic interests.”
“Taxes are taxes. It’s bad for businesses and worse for US and European Union consumers,” she said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, described Trump’s move as a “direct attack,” told reporters that he would hold a high-level cabinet meeting on Thursday to decide on a response.
“We defend our workers, protect our company, protect our country, and we protect it together,” he said in Kitchener, Ontario.