Title: European Union was formed to ‘screw’ US: Donald Trump
In a recent statement, US President Donald Trump claimed that the European Union (EU) was formed with the sole intention of “screwing” the United States. Trump’s remarks sparked a heated reaction from the European Commission, who countered that the EU is the “world’s largest free market” and has been a significant boon for the US.
The controversy began when Trump made the comment during a press conference, stating, “The European Union was formed to screw us. And they’ve done a good job of it, but now I’m President.” Trump went on to add, “We’ve made a decision [regarding tariffs on EU] and…it’ll be 25%.”
The President’s statement comes amidst ongoing trade tensions between the US and the EU. The EU has been a major target of Trump’s trade policies, with the US imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the bloc. In response, the EU has imposed tariffs on US goods such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles and bourbon whiskey.
The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, was quick to respond to Trump’s remarks. In a statement, they emphasized the EU’s role as a major trading partner with the US and highlighted the benefits of the relationship.
“The European Union is the world’s largest free market, and our economic partnership with the United States is a significant one,” said a Commission spokesperson. “The EU has been a boon for the US, with US companies benefitting from access to our single market and our consumers benefiting from access to the US market.”
The Commission also pointed out that the EU is one of the largest investors in the US, with US companies investing heavily in the EU. The bloc is also a major market for US goods and services, with US companies benefiting from access to the EU’s consumer market.
Trump’s statement has been met with widespread criticism from both sides of the Atlantic. Many have accused the President of being ill-informed about the EU’s history and purpose. The EU was formed in the aftermath of World War II, with the goal of promoting economic cooperation and stability among its member states.
The EU’s founding treaty, the Treaty of Rome, was signed in 1957 and established the European Economic Community (EEC), which aimed to create a common market among its member states. The EEC was later expanded to include new member states and eventually merged with other European institutions to form the European Union.
Despite Trump’s criticism, the EU remains a major player on the global stage, with a combined GDP of over $18 trillion and a population of over 500 million people. The bloc has also been at the forefront of many global initiatives, including climate change and human rights.
In conclusion, Trump’s claim that the EU was formed to “screw” the US is a baseless and inaccurate statement that has been met with widespread criticism from both sides of the Atlantic. The EU is a major trading partner with the US and has been a significant boon for American businesses and consumers.
News Source:
https://www.news18.com/amp/world/eu-was-born-to-screw-us-says-trump-9242598.html
