Washington, May 1: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has raised tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union to 25%. Trump accused the EU of failing to comply with the existing trade agreement. He also expressed uncertainty regarding ongoing negotiations with Iran.
Trump stated to reporters, “We have increased tariffs on cars coming from the EU because they were not adhering to our trade agreement.” He added, “I have imposed a 25% tariff on cars and trucks. This will bring billions of dollars to the U.S. and pressure companies to bring their factories back to America quickly.”
The President emphasized that the decision aims to compel companies to increase production in the U.S. Currently, over $100 billion is being invested in car plants in America, marking a record high. He mentioned investments from Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Mexico.
Regarding Iran, Trump noted that discussions are ongoing but have not yielded concrete results. “They want to make a deal, but I am not satisfied yet. Let’s see what happens. The Iranian leadership is fragmented. They all want to make a deal, but they are disorganized,” he remarked.
He described Iran’s military capabilities as significantly weakened, stating, “Iran has neither a navy nor an air force. Their leadership is not functioning properly.” Trump expressed a preference for a diplomatic solution, stating, “Should we attack them and end it forever, or try to make a deal? On humanitarian grounds, I would not choose the first option.”
He defended his decision not to seek Congressional approval for military action, asserting that such approval has never been required and is considered unconstitutional.
On the domestic front, Trump touted the strength of the U.S. economy, claiming, “The stock market is at record levels. There are more people working in America than ever before.” He acknowledged that fuel prices are currently high but predicted they would decrease once tensions ease. “When the war ends, gasoline prices will drop. A large volume of oil is currently not passing through major maritime routes,” he said.
Reiterating his “America First” policy, Trump responded to questions about potential aid for Spirit Airlines, saying, “We want to save jobs, but only if the deal is good.” He also expressed respect for Pakistan, noting that its leadership is cooperating with the U.S. on regional issues.
Trump confirmed a future trip to China, describing it as a fantastic event, and mentioned that leaders from Lebanon and Israel are set to visit the White House soon.
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AMT/ABM