• President Donald Trump on Friday said he is “recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union” after complaining that trade negotiations have stalled.

  • The EU “has been very difficult to deal with,” Trump wrote. “Our discussions with them are going nowhere!”

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 U.S. 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% 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!

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    I legitimately don’t understand why what’s left of the free world hasn’t all gotten together and agreed to tarrif America all at the same time.

    Just throw insane tareifs, and let trump sit in it for a couple months while everyone ignores all his phone calls and requests for meetings.

    That would actually work.

    • Bustedknuckles@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Because, as we’re experiencing, tariffs are a regressive tax on your own populace and hurt the most vulnerable. Also, they don’t have to. We’re pissing off enough regular people that they’re voluntarily buying made-anywhere-but-USA. Lastly, why provoke an idiot with a huge military?

      They can and will dismantle American power just by not buying our debt and then supporting a chamge in the world’s reserve currency. Trump is screwing us for generations

    • Joncash2@lemmy.ml
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      1 month ago

      And was proven to work by China as that’s literally what they did. But I think the fear of looking like they side with China is making them not do it. The taboo of standing with China is that taboo amongst western nations that they would sacrifice their health and wealth to not do it.

      • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        The taboo of standing with China is that taboo amongst western nations that they would sacrifice their health and wealth to not do it.

        That’s definitely not what’s happening…

        Although I know there are certain instances where the only thing that matters is defending far right authoritarians because they lied about their economic system. So I understand why I got a reply like that.

        • Joncash2@lemmy.ml
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          1 month ago

          I’m a bit confused. Are you saying lots of Europeans are saying they stand with China besides the far right?

  • martin4598@lemm.ee
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    1 month ago

    The EU should use the Chinese method:

    The US puts 50% The EU puts 50. The US puts 100 The EU puts 100 Trump says “I´m waiting for them to call me” The EU doesn´t call. Trump says 10%

    Job done in 2 weeks.

  • ssillyssadass@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    He still doesn’t know what a tariff is.

    Also, I appreciate that every picture I see of Trump, even on official news sources, is an unflattering one. They always make sure to catch him with his mouth looking like what it is, that being an asshole.

  • Rakonat@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Dude just wants to crater the US economy, specifically the stock market, and kill what credibility the US has thrived on since WW2. Can’t help but feel Putin has a finger in this cause a weak US makes Russia look stronger.

  • Kyrgizion@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    I wonder what’ll happen to Tech giants’ revenue in the EU if they decide to get serious about this.

  • InvertedParallax@lemm.ee
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    1 month ago

    I need to explain to people why this is so amazingly stupid:

    You are literally giving Europe an excuse to put tariffs on American goods and services, which they want to anyway, to encourage domestic producers.

    Also, you’re making it easier for them to buy directly from south Korea, Japan and even China, especially since those countries can’t sell as easily to the US.

    For Europe this is an absolute win/win.

    But honestly, this sounds like a way for Trump to put pressure on Europe to back off on Ukraine, as he probably thinks the EU is reliant on US LNG, which is kind of isn’t really.

  • rylock@lemm.ee
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    1 month ago

    Another decision that benefits no one except Russia. Their asset sure is paying off.

  • NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution vests the power to lay and collect tariffs with Congress.

    Are we going to just ignore it? Technically tarrifs are supposed to be imposed by an act of congress, not the orange manchild in chief.

    • atzanteol@sh.itjust.works
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      1 month ago

      Congress has long ago decided to stop being a coequal branch of government. Same now with SCOTUS… They’ve ceded so much authority to the executive that they almost can’t fight back now. Impeachment is the only option left and Republicans won’t/can’t. Our remaining hope is that Democrats will/can in 2 years. AND that significant reforms follow that will limit the president again.

      Otherwise, we’ve become Turkey. A representative republic in name only.