Fact Check: Trump threatened tariffs of up to 70% on imports from the EU.

Fact Check: "Trump threatened tariffs of up to 70% on imports from the EU."

What We Know

In recent statements, President Donald Trump indicated that he would impose tariffs on imports from various countries, including those from the European Union (EU). Specifically, Trump mentioned that the tariffs could range from 10% to as high as 70% depending on the country and the trade negotiations that take place. Reports from various sources confirm that Trump planned to send out letters notifying countries of these impending tariffs, with a deadline set for July 9, 2025, to negotiate terms and potentially avoid these higher import costs (source-2, source-4).

The tariffs are part of Trump's broader "America First" trade agenda, which aims to address perceived trade imbalances and protect American workers (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Trump threatened tariffs of up to 70% is substantiated by multiple reports. For instance, Trump explicitly stated that the tariffs could reach 60% to 70% for certain countries, indicating a significant escalation from previous tariff frameworks (source-2, source-4). This approach aligns with his administration's historical tendency to leverage tariffs as a tool for negotiating trade deals.

The reliability of the sources reporting on this claim is generally high. Major news outlets such as Bloomberg and Euronews have reported on Trump's tariff plans, providing detailed accounts of his statements and the context surrounding them. However, it is important to note that while the statements are credible, the actual implementation of such tariffs can be subject to change based on negotiations and international responses (source-3, source-6).

Conclusion

The claim that "Trump threatened tariffs of up to 70% on imports from the EU" is True. Multiple credible sources confirm that Trump has publicly stated intentions to impose tariffs that could reach this level as part of his administration's trade strategy. The context of these statements indicates a clear intention to leverage tariffs to negotiate better trade terms with various countries, including those in the EU.