US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on the European Union if the bloc does not reduce its huge trade deficit with Washington by buying more oil and gas.
US President-elect Donald Trump - Photo: REUTERS
"I told the European Union (EU) that they must make up their massive deficit with the United States by buying our oil and gas in massive quantities. Or tariffs," Trump posted on Truth Social on December 20.
According to AFP, US figures for 2022 show that imports of goods from the EU were $553.3 billion, while exports to the bloc were $350.8 billion. The US trade deficit in goods with the EU this year was $202.5 billion.
The United States is currently Europe’s largest LNG supplier. According to data from the EU’s statistics agency Eurostat, the United States supplied 47% of the bloc’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 17% of its oil imports in the first quarter of 2024.
Commenting on Mr. Trump's statement on December 20, the EU said the bloc was ready to negotiate, while emphasizing that the US also has a "significant trade surplus in services with the EU."
"We are ready to discuss with President-elect Trump how to further strengthen our already strong relationship, including discussing common interests in the energy sector," spokesman Olof Gill said at a press briefing.
In November, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed to Mr Trump that the US could provide more LNG to the EU to replace supplies from Russia.
Mr Trump, who takes office in January 2025, has made repeated threats to impose tariffs on US trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and China, which could have a major impact on the global economy.
Earlier this month, the EU signed a major trade deal with four South American countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – to create a free trade area of 700 million consumers.
Ms Von der Leyen said the deal would build bridges on trade amid “strong headwinds”, a comment widely seen as a reference to Mr Trump’s threats to raise tariffs.
Some analysts say Mr Trump's tariff threats may be just a tactic, or leverage to gain an advantage in future trade negotiations once he takes office.
But the president-elect has repeatedly asserted that tariffs, if used properly, will benefit the US economy.
"Our country is losing to everybody. Tariffs will make the country rich," he told reporters at his Florida mansion this week.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ong-trump-doa-ap-thue-neu-eu-khong-mua-them-dau-khi-dot-20241220212238961.htm
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