Fact Check: "Say he wanted to talk after 2 to 50%"
What We Know
The claim in question appears to be related to a statement made by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding tariffs on European Union (EU) goods. According to a BBC article, Trump had initially announced a 20% tariff on most EU goods, which he later reduced to 10% to allow for negotiations. However, he expressed frustration with the pace of these talks and threatened to increase the tariff rate to 50% by June 1. Following a call with Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission chief, Trump agreed to extend the negotiation deadline to July 9.
Another BBC report provides context on the legal challenges to Trump's tariff policies, noting that the Court of International Trade ruled against the president's unilateral authority to impose tariffs. This ruling did not address the specific tariffs on EU goods but highlighted the legal complexities surrounding Trump's tariff strategies.
Analysis
The primary source for this fact-check is a BBC article that outlines Trump's tariff negotiations with the EU. The article is from a reputable news organization known for its comprehensive coverage of international affairs. It details Trump's tariff threats and subsequent negotiations, providing a clear timeline of events.
The claim "say he wanted to talk after 2 to 50%" seems to be a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of the events described. The phrase "2 to 50%" does not directly correlate with any specific statement or policy action by Trump. Instead, the context provided by the BBC article suggests that Trump's tariff threats and negotiations were more nuanced, involving specific percentages and deadlines.
Additionally, the CNBC article corroborates the BBC's account, stating that Trump recommended a 50% tariff on the EU after expressing dissatisfaction with the stalled negotiations. This further supports the timeline and context provided by the BBC.
However, the claim lacks clarity and specificity, making it challenging to verify its accuracy without additional context or clarification.
Conclusion
Verdict: Needs Research
The claim "say he wanted to talk after 2 to 50%" is ambiguous and lacks sufficient context to be definitively verified or debunked. The available sources provide detailed accounts of Trump's tariff negotiations with the EU, including his threats to impose a 50% tariff. However, the specific wording of the claim does not align with the documented events. Further research and clarification are needed to accurately assess the validity of this claim.
