US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose “serious tariffs” on the European Union and halt trade with Europe after the bloc proposed accepting Canada as its first associate member.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing foreign media.
Trump called the EU’s initiative to deepen relations with Canada “ridiculous” and said the move was an “act of hostility.”
Speaking to reporters, the US president said he could impose very substantial tariffs on the European Union or stop trade with Europe.
“If it’s well-intentioned, there’s no problem. If it’s hostile, we will impose very heavy tariffs on Europe,” Trump said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen invited Canada the previous day to become the EU’s first “associate member,” one day before Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament.
Von der Leyen called for closer cooperation with Canada in technology, defense and energy.
Speaking at the European Parliament, she said democracies were facing a rupture in the international rules-based system and that Brussels and Ottawa should move closer together.
The European Union is a political and economic bloc of 27 member states. Canada has maintained close trade, security and diplomatic ties with the bloc, while the proposal for a deeper partnership would expand cooperation without granting full EU membership.
