Trump threatens Europe with tariffs – the transatlantic friendship is on the brink!

Trump threatens Europe with tariffs – the transatlantic friendship is on the brink!

On June 3, 2025, Donald Trump will strengthen his protectionist course in trade policy, showing that the transatlantic relationship between the USA and Europe is under scrutiny. How TRT reports, Trump emphasizes his friendship with Europe, but at the same time uses tariffs as a means of pressure in his economic disputes.

The US government plans to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and has even threatened 50 percent tariffs on products from the EU. These measures are intended not only to increase economic pressure on Europe, but also to address the existing trade deficits, which Trump sees as putting the USA at a disadvantage. Germany, which became the USA's most important trading partner in 2024 with an export volume of over 160 billion euros, is particularly in focus.

Consequences of trade policy

The negative impact of these tariffs on the European economy cannot be underestimated. According to information from the DGAP Export-oriented sectors such as mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and the chemical industry are particularly affected by the punitive tariffs. The German aluminum industry is concerned because only 2% of its production is sent to the USA, but the indirect effects are far-reaching.

A report by the German Economic Institute states that the economic damage to Germany could amount to over 200 billion euros by 2028. In addition, the EU may be planning counter-tariffs in response to US tariff policy, which could further aggravate the situation.

Political and economic tensions

Economic relations between the USA and Europe are in a tense state. Trump has already announced that he will extend tariffs to a number of countries, including Canada, Mexico and China. This is seen as a threat to the post-war economic order, with the EU and US having the most integrated trade and investment relationships in the world.

The EU Commission has signaled that it will refrain from retaliatory measures for the time being, while economists are calling for an independent industrial policy and long-term investments for Europe. The discussion about export taxes on technology-intensive products could also become more important in order to protect Europe's economic sovereignty.

Trump also called on NATO countries to increase their defense spending to at least 5 percent of gross domestic product. The challenges posed by US trade and security policy require Europe to take decisive action to secure its own interests and develop a common response to US tariff policy.