Is Trump Really Planning 50% Tariffs on the EU and 25% on Apple?

Synopsis
US President Donald Trump has threatened significant tariffs on the EU and Apple unless manufacturing is brought back to the US. This bold move could reshape international trade dynamics and raise questions about the future of American manufacturing. Will these threats lead to the changes Trump seeks, or are they empty posturing?
Key Takeaways
- Trump proposes a 50% tariff on EU imports.
- 25% tariff on Apple unless iPhones are made in the US.
- Frustration over stalled trade negotiations with the EU.
- Potential impact on consumers and international relations.
- Focus on reducing the US trade deficit.
New York, May 24 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump has issued a warning of a 50 percent tax on all imports from the European Union and a 25 percent tariff on Apple products unless iPhones are manufactured in the United States.
According to a report from The Associated Press, Trump's threats, communicated via social media, illustrate his capacity to disrupt the global economy with a few keystrokes. However, it also highlights that his tariffs have yet to yield the trade agreements he desires or the return of domestic manufacturing he has assured his supporters.
The Republican President expressed his intent to impose higher import taxes on EU goods compared to those from China, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Frustrated by the stagnation in trade negotiations with the EU, which has suggested mutually reducing tariffs to zero, Trump insists on maintaining a baseline 10 percent tax on most imports.
Trump articulated his dissatisfaction on Truth Social, stating, “Our discussions with them are going nowhere!” He proposed a 50 percent Tariff on the European Union, effective June 1, 2025, asserting that there would be no tariff if products are produced in the United States.
This declaration followed a warning directed at Apple regarding its plans to continue producing iPhones in Asia. Apple now finds itself among major US corporations like Amazon and Walmart facing scrutiny from the administration amidst the economic uncertainty and inflation triggered by these tariffs.
Trump remarked, “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones sold in the United States to be made here, not in India or elsewhere.”
He added, “If not, Apple must pay a Tariff of at least 25 percent to the US.”
The essence of Trump's argument against the EU lies in the claim that America experiences a “totally unacceptable” trade deficit with its 27 member states, characterized by importing more goods than exporting.