Trump Threatens EU with Trade Consequences

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the European Union would face significant penalties for insufficient purchases of American exports if he wins the election on November 5.

During a rally in Pennsylvania, he remarked, "The European Union sounds so nice, so lovely, right? All the nice European little countries that get together," following his commitment to implement the "Trump reciprocal trade act."

"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 emphasized.

Trump has pledged to introduce a 10% tariff on imports from all countries, with an especially heavy 60% duty on imports from China. Economists warn that such measures could disrupt global supply chains and provoke retaliatory actions, leading to increased costs.

Additionally, Trump has unsettled Taiwan by stating that it should compensate the U.S. for its defense and that it has taken America’s semiconductor business. Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. is obligated by law to assist Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.

In response, Democrat Kamala Harris cautioned a crowd of tens of thousands at her largest rally on Tuesday that her Republican opponent, Trump, is pursuing unchecked power as the presidential race intensifies. "This is someone who is unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance, and out for unchecked power," she declared during what her campaign labeled as her closing argument ahead of the closely contested November 5 election.