Asger Risom
President Donald Trump has defended his decision to impose 30% tariffs on European goods, citing a lack of trust in whether EU nations would defend the U.S. in a conflict.
President Donald Trump has defended his decision to impose 30% tariffs on European goods, citing a lack of trust in whether EU nations would defend the U.S. in a conflict.
Tariffs Tied to Military Loyalty
In an interview with the BBC, Trump linked trade policy to defense alliances. He questioned whether NATO allies, aside from the UK, would stand by the U.S. in a time of war, framing his tariff strategy as partly based on trust.
“The UK Would Fight With Us”
“I think the United Kingdom would fight alongside us,” Trump said. “I’m not sure a lot of the other countries would be.” His remarks singled out the UK for special treatment in both trade and defense expectations.
NATO Has Backed the U.S. Before
NATO has only invoked Article 5 once—after the September 11 attacks—to support the United States. European nations, especially the UK, contributed troops to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Preferential Treatment for the UK
Trump said his administration granted the UK exemptions from new tariffs, while deals with the EU were largely avoided. Trust, not just economics, shaped his trade decisions, he suggested.
30% Tariffs on European Goods
As part of his hardline trade stance, Trump has threatened a 30% tariff on EU products. He cited Europe’s uncertain military commitment as part of the reason behind the move.
NATO Spending Increases Not Enough
Despite recent pledges from NATO members to raise defense spending, Trump remains unconvinced about their reliability in a real-world conflict involving the U.S.
Rising U.S.-EU Tensions
Trump’s comments and trade threats underline a growing divide between the U.S. and the EU, where economic decisions are now openly tied to geopolitical trust.
