The European Union, in Donald Trump’s words, is “going to pay a big price” for not buying enough American goods. Speaking at a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, one of the key battleground states in the upcoming presidential election, the former president emphasized his discontent with what he sees as a one-sided trade relationship.
Trump argued that Europe benefits extensively from the U.S. market while giving little in return. European automakers, he noted, flood American roads with their cars, yet U.S. products, from cars to agricultural goods, face resistance in the EU. Trump’s solution lies in introducing a “Trump Reciprocal Trade Act,” which would impose a 10% tariff on all imports from Europe — and potentially up to 100% on Chinese imports.
“I’ll tell you what, the European Union sounds so nice, so lovely, right? All the nice European little countries that get together,” Trump quipped to the crowd. “They don’t take our cars. They don’t take our farm products. They sell millions and millions of cars in the United States. No, no, no, they are going to have to pay a big price,” he added.
Economists have reacted with concern, warning that Trump’s proposed tariffs could disrupt global supply chains and invite retaliatory measures. Such policies, they argue, would eventually raise costs for American businesses and consumers.
On Tuesday, Trump also took aim at Taiwan, which he claimed has “taken” a significant portion of America’s semiconductor production while relying on U.S. defense support without “paying” for it.
Meanwhile, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking at a rally in Washington, D.C., delivered her own message. “This is someone who is unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance and out for unchecked power,” Harris said, painting Trump as a danger to America’s future.
