Trump Threatens EU with 'Massive Tariffs' Over Cooperation with Canada

The United States and Canada are locked in an intensifying trade war, and now, President Donald Trump has raised the stakes, threatening the European Union with "large-scale tariffs" if the bloc sides with Canada in economic disputes against the U.S.

Trump’s Warning to the EU and Canada

In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "If the European Union works with Canada to inflict economic harm on the United States, large-scale tariffs—far greater than those currently planned—will be imposed on both in order to protect the best friend these two countries have ever had."

The warning follows remarks from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who criticized Trump's proposed tariffs on automobiles. "Bad for business, worse for consumers," von der Leyen stated, voicing strong opposition to the measures.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was equally critical, calling the tariffs a "direct attack on Canadian workers" and warning that retaliatory measures were under serious consideration.

Tariffs Set to Take Effect

Trump announced that starting April 2, a 25% tariff would be imposed on all cars not manufactured in the U.S., a sharp increase from the current 2.5%. Revenue collection is set to begin the following day, April 3.

This aggressive move is expected to disrupt global supply chains and raise vehicle prices, affecting both consumers and manufacturers across North America and Europe.

U.S. vs. Canada: A Trade War Deepens

The U.S.-Canada trade dispute began when Trump first imposed heavy tariffs on steel imports, sparking a wave of economic nationalism in Canada. In response, Canadian retailers encouraged consumers to buy local, and apps identifying the origin of products surged in popularity. Many suppliers started using national symbols to emphasize Canadian-made goods.

Trump’s response to this growing trend? Extending the 25% tariff to nearly all Canadian products, effective in April.

The Canadian government wasted no time retaliating, announcing 25% tariffs on select American imports.

Global Backlash

The trade war isn't just a North American issue. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz weighed in, vowing that the European Union would respond swiftly to Trump's tariffs. "We need fewer trade barriers, not more. That’s why I believe the U.S. customs regulations are wrong," Scholz declared in a press conference alongside European Council President António Costa in Berlin.

With tensions at an all-time high, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether these economic conflicts escalate further or if diplomatic solutions can still be reached.