Trump threatens tariffs on European Union, iPhones

President Donald Trump on Friday said he is “recommending” a 50% tariff on the European Union after stalled trade negotiations with the bloc of 27 member countries.

The new import duties on goods from the EU would start on June 1, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with. Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable,” Trump said.

The European Commission, the primary executive arm of the EU, has not made an official response to Trump’s recommendation for 50% tariffs.

Related: White House says China trade deal reached after ‘productive’ talks

The Trump administration imposed a 20% “reciprocal” tariff on most EU goods on April 2 but later paused the levy until July 8 to allow time for negotiations. The EU and all other countries  still have a 10% baseline duty on all exported goods to the U.S.

The White House is also still maintaining 25% import taxes on steel, aluminium and vehicle parts and is threatening similar action on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and other goods from the EU.

Trump also said Friday he would impose a 25% tariff on Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) unless it shifts some iPhone production to the U.S.

“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump said on social media.

As of Friday, Apple had declined to comment on Trump’s post.

The Financial Times reported on Thursday that Apple was finalizing plans for a $1.5 billion iPhone component production center in India.

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