Trump Signals Retaliation Against EU and Canada 'Counter Tariffs'... "Flexibility Until April 2"

"EU Was Established to Take Advantage of the U.S.... Will Respond"
On Criticism of Fluctuating Tariff Policy: "I Have the Right to Adjust"

U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at further retaliatory measures against the European Union (EU) and Canada, who imposed 'counter-tariffs' in response to his steel and aluminum tariff actions. Addressing criticism over his 'flip-flopping' tariff policy, which involved multiple implementations and suspensions, he stated that he would exercise 'flexibility' until the mutual tariff announcement on May 2, effectively pressuring countries to present solutions to reduce their trade surpluses with the U.S.

Reuters Yonhap News

On the 12th (local time), President Trump told reporters at the White House that he would "of course respond" to the EU's tariff measures. He argued, "The problem is that our country has not responded until now," and claimed, "Look, the EU was established to take advantage of the United States."

The U.S. implemented a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports starting at midnight that day. In retaliation, the EU announced it would impose retaliatory tariffs on $28 billion (approximately 41 trillion won) worth of U.S. imports, including steel, aluminum, beef, motorcycles, and whiskey, starting in April. Canada also responded by imposing a 25% tariff on $21 billion (approximately 31 trillion won) worth of U.S. steel, aluminum, computers, sports equipment, and cast iron products from the 13th. The Trump administration maintains that the cause of the steel and aluminum tariff imposition lies with the EU and others who have ignored the problem of oversupply.

Regarding criticism of inconsistency in tariff policy, President Trump rebutted, saying, "It's not inconsistency but flexibility," and added, "I have the right to adjust." He continued, "I will always maintain flexibility, but once it starts, there will be very little flexibility."

He emphasized, "April 2 will be a very important day for the United States," and stated, "The U.S. will reclaim a significant portion of what other countries have stolen from us and what our incompetent leaders have allowed them to steal."

This is interpreted as pressure on countries to bring forward plans to reduce their trade surpluses with the U.S. before the mutual tariff announcement scheduled for April 2, which has been announced several times.

During a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Miche?l Martin at the White House that day, President Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with the trade deficit with Ireland. He claimed, "Because Ireland was very smart, we are seeing a huge trade deficit with Ireland," and added, "They took our pharmaceutical companies from presidents who didn't know what they were doing." Prime Minister Martin explained that Ireland has increased its investment in the U.S. compared to before.

As President Trump continues to unleash tariff attacks almost daily, responses from various countries are mixed.

The EU and Canada immediately retaliated against the U.S. In particular, Canada has stated that it will respond with countermeasures every time the U.S. imposes tariffs. Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc criticized the recent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, saying, "The U.S. administration is causing disruption and disorder in an incredibly successful trade partnership."

Meanwhile, Mexico is refraining from retaliatory measures and focusing on negotiating with the U.S. to avoid tariffs. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that "Considering that we have a trade agreement and that goods from Mexico to the U.S. are not subject to tariffs, mutual tariffs should not be imposed," and added, "We will wait until April to decide whether to impose mutual tariffs."