Trump’s Tariff Bomb Rocks Transatlantic Trade, EU Vows to Defend Interests

Content: Transatlantic trade relations are bracing for a fresh shock as Donald Trump announced a potential 50% tariff on all European Union goods, set to begin June 1st. The former president’s latest move, stemming from dissatisfaction with ongoing trade negotiations, has ignited strong reactions from EU officials. Maroš Šefčovič, the EU trade commissioner, asserted that “mutual respect, not threats” should guide the unparalleled EU-US trade relationship, and pledged to “defend our interests.” This aggressive stance follows earlier US tariffs on European goods and threats on sectors like pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. European politicians widely criticized the tariff proposal, with calls for de-escalation and continued talks. Leaders across the bloc echoed concerns about the economic damage such tariffs would inflict on a vital global trading partnership.