Donald Trump Proposes 50% Tariff On European Union Starting June 1

Trump announced on Truth Social that the steep new import tariffs would take effect starting June 1

US President Donald Trump

Source : PTI

US President Donald Trump has suggested imposing a straight 50 per cent tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. The president added that the European Union was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on Trade.

In a social media post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump wrote, “The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with. Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the US of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable.”

“Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50 per cent Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.

Trump's Warning To Apple

Trump's announcement came less than 30 minutes after he threatened to slap a 25 per cent tariff or higher on Apple if the company fails to begin manufacturing iPhones in the United States.

The markets reacted swiftly, with stock futures tumbling in the wake of his posts, underscoring the former president’s continued use of aggressive tariff threats as a lever against economic decisions he opposes.

Apple has been steadily expanding its manufacturing footprint in India, positioning the country as a strategic alternative to China amid ongoing trade tensions. According to a Reuters report last month, the iPhone maker is fast-tracking efforts to establish India as a major production hub for iPhones bound for the US market.