'This is insane': Well Who'da Thunk?
Trump goes nuclear on 'nasty' E.U. with new '200 percent' tariff threats
President Donald Trump on Thursday delivered a massive new threat to hit the European Union with unprecedented tariffs.
Writing on his Truth Social page, Trump lashed out at the EU for slapping tariffs on American alcohol and pledged to up the ante by four fold.
"The European Union, one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World, which was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States, has just put a nasty 50% Tariff on Whisky," Trump wrote. "If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES. This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S."
Since returning to power less than two months ago, Trump has launched trade wars against American allies, including not just the European Union but also on Mexico and Canada, which are the United States' two largest trading partners.
At the same time, Trump has hinted at forcibly expanding the territory of the United States by saying that Canada should become America's "51st state" while also reportedly saying that he wants to throw out territorial treaties between the U.S. and Canada that have been in existence for more than a century.
Republicans against Trump responded to the news, saying on Thursday, "This is insane and will only further wreck our economy."