Summary
Donald Trump has demanded the European Union reduce its $131.3 billion U.S. trade deficit by purchasing more American oil and gas or face tariffs.
Trump’s comments, posted on Truth Social, come as the EU works to phase out Russian energy imports and diversify suppliers.
EU officials, while open to U.S. energy imports, criticized Trump’s approach as transactional, warning of potential retaliation.
Analysts highlight risks of tariffs to inflation and global trade. The EU plans to engage pragmatically but has prepared for heightened U.S. protectionism under Trump’s leadership.
It’s amazing that a party who ran off free market economics for like 5 decades can all come down with sudden onset amnesia about the subject.
Not surprising to anyone who’s been paying attention and has half a brain.