{"id":128128,"date":"2025-02-28T00:20:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T00:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/eu-pushes-back-hard-against-trump-tariff-threats-and-his-caustic-comments-that-bloc-is-out-to-get-us-the-associated-press\/"},"modified":"2025-02-28T00:20:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T00:20:36","slug":"eu-pushes-back-hard-against-trump-tariff-threats-and-his-caustic-comments-that-bloc-is-out-to-get-us-the-associated-press","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/eu-pushes-back-hard-against-trump-tariff-threats-and-his-caustic-comments-that-bloc-is-out-to-get-us-the-associated-press\/","title":{"rendered":"EU pushes back hard against Trump tariff threats and his caustic comments that bloc is out to get US – The Associated Press"},"content":{"rendered":"

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on imports from the European Union, saying the EU was formed to \u201cscrew the United States.\u201d
President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Pool via AP)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
Poland\u2019s Prime Minister Donald Tusk gets into his car as he leaves the Elysee Palace, after an informal meeting of leaders from key European Union nations and the United Kingdom, in Paris, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo\/Aurelien Morissard)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
Steam and smoke in front of an industrial complex in the Port of Antwerp in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
Spain\u2019s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a press conference after the \u201cSupport Ukraine\u201d summit, marking the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2025. (Gleb Garanich\/Pool Photo via AP)
Wind turbines in front of industrial businesses along the River Scheldt in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
Steam and smoke in front of industrial complexes in the Port of Antwerp in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on imports from the European Union, saying the EU was formed to \u201cscrew the United States.\u201d
President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Pool via AP)
President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Pool via AP)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
Poland\u2019s Prime Minister Donald Tusk gets into his car as he leaves the Elysee Palace, after an informal meeting of leaders from key European Union nations and the United Kingdom, in Paris, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo\/Aurelien Morissard)
Poland\u2019s Prime Minister Donald Tusk gets into his car as he leaves the Elysee Palace, after an informal meeting of leaders from key European Union nations and the United Kingdom, in Paris, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo\/Aurelien Morissard)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
Steam and smoke in front of an industrial complex in the Port of Antwerp in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
Steam and smoke in front of an industrial complex in the Port of Antwerp in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
Spain\u2019s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a press conference after the \u201cSupport Ukraine\u201d summit, marking the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2025. (Gleb Garanich\/Pool Photo via AP)
Spain\u2019s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a press conference after the \u201cSupport Ukraine\u201d summit, marking the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2025. (Gleb Garanich\/Pool Photo via AP)
Wind turbines in front of industrial businesses along the River Scheldt in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
Wind turbines in front of industrial businesses along the River Scheldt in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
Steam and smoke in front of industrial complexes in the Port of Antwerp in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
Steam and smoke in front of industrial complexes in the Port of Antwerp in Antwerp, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
In this image provided by Johns Hopkins University, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks at Johns Hopkins University, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (Kaveh Sardari\/Johns Hopkins University via AP)
▶ Follow live updates on President Donald Trump and his new administration<\/a><\/span>.
BRUSSELS (AP) \u2014 The European Union on Thursday pushed back hard against allegations by U.S. President Donald Trump<\/a><\/span> that the 27-nation bloc was out to get the United States, and warned that it would vigorously fight any wholesale tariff of 25%<\/a><\/span> on all EU products.
The tit-for-tat dispute following the comments of Trump, which were aimed at an age-old ally and its main postwar economic partner, further deepened the trans-Atlantic rift that was already widened by Trump\u2019s warnings that Washington would drop security guarantees for its European allies.
Thursday\u2019s EU pushback came after Trump told reporters that \u201cthe European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. That\u2019s the purpose of it, and they\u2019ve done a good job of it,\u201d adding that it would stop immediately under his presidency.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland, which holds the EU\u2019s rotating presidency, went on a counteroffensive.
\u201cThe EU wasn\u2019t formed to screw anyone,\u201d Tusk said in an X post. \u201cQuite 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.\u201d
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Washington, where she told an audience at Johns Hopkins University on Thursday that \u201cwe are not out to screw anyone,\u201d adding that both sides should be \u201cpulling ourselves up together rather than the opposite.\u201d <\/p>\n

And Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez added fiery fuel to the debate.
\u201cWe are going to defend our interests when our economies are attacked with tariffs that are completely unjustified and represent a veiled threat to our economic sovereignty.
\u201cWe are committed and prepared to do so,\u201d he said in northern Spain.
The EU also warned that the moment that tariffs are announced, it would trigger tough countermeasures<\/a><\/span> on iconic U.S. industries like bourbon, jeans and motorcycles.
\u201cThe European Union and its member states have been working for months and we are going to adopt measures that are proportional to the challenge,\u201d S\u00e1nchez said.
Metsola said that the EU would stand up to the Trump administration if tariffs are announced.
\u201cWe are very ready for anything. So allow me to be clear: The EU will react firmly and immediately,\u201d she said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to go down that road \u2014 let me be clear \u2014 but we are ready.\u201d
Trump said in comments late Wednesday that the United States stood equally ready for a standoff.
\u201cWe are the pot of gold. We\u2019re the one that everybody wants. And they can retaliate. But it cannot be a successful retaliation, because we just go cold turkey. We don\u2019t buy any more. And if that happens, we win.\u201d
The EU estimates that the trade volume between both sides stands at about $1.5 trillion, representing around 30% of global trade. Trump has complained about a trade deficit, but while the bloc has a substantial export surplus in goods, the EU says that is partly offset by the U.S. surplus in the trade of services.
The EU says that trade in goods reached 851 billion euros ($878 billion) in 2023, with a trade surplus of 156 billion euros ($161 billion) for the EU. Trade in services was worth 688 billion euros ($710 billion) with a trade deficit of 104 billion euros ($107 billion) for the EU.
The figures are so big that it remained essential to avoid a trade war, the EU has said.
\u201cWe should be talking about trade agreements rather than tariffs,\u201d Metsola said.
Joseph Wilson in Barcelona, Spain, Lorne Cook in Brussels, and Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n

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Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on imports from the European Union, saying the EU was formed to \u201cscrew the United States.\u201dPresident Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Pool via AP)In this image provided […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":128129,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-128128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-us","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128128"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128128\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128129"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}