US President Donald Trump has hinted at imposing fresh tariffs on the European Union (EU), reviving trade tensions with the 27-nation bloc.

During an interaction with reporters at the White House, Trump was asked whether he planned to introduce tariffs on the EU. “Do you want the truthful answer or the political answer?” he responded. “Absolutely.”

The Republican leader, who has repeatedly accused the EU of unfair trade practices, reiterated his stance, stating, “The European Union has treated us so terribly.”

This is not the first time Trump has taken an aggressive stance on EU trade. During his first term in office, in 2018, he imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminium exports, triggering a trade dispute. The EU retaliated with duties on American goods, including whiskey and motorcycles.

In December 2024, Trump threatened a trade war with the EU unless it increased its purchases of American oil and gas. His latest remarks have renewed concerns over potential economic disruptions between two of the world’s largest trading partners.

EU warns of retaliation

The European Commission has signalled it will respond “firmly” if Washington moves forward with new tariffs.

A spokesperson for the commission told AFP that the EU “regrets the US decision to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China,” calling such measures “economically disruptive” and inflationary.

“The EU would respond firmly to any trading partner that unfairly or arbitrarily imposes tariffs on EU goods,” the spokesperson said. However, he added that the bloc had not yet been informed of any specific measures against European products.

The commission underscored the importance of a strong transatlantic trade relationship, calling it “the biggest in the world,” and urged Washington to focus on cooperation rather than confrontation.

EU leaders are set to convene in Brussels on Monday to discuss Trump’s latest comments and assess possible countermeasures.

Apart from trade disputes, tensions between Trump and European allies have also escalated over his renewed interest in Greenland. The mineral-rich Arctic island, an autonomous Danish territory, has been a longstanding target of Trump’s ambitions.