Why is President Trump threatening EU and China with high tariff?

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday reaffirmed his intention to impose tariffs on the European Union, asserting that his administration was considering a 10% punitive duty on Chinese imports due to fentanyl trafficking from China to the U.S. via Mexico and Canada.

Trump made these remarks to reporters at the White House, following his inauguration the previous day, when he refrained from immediately implementing tariffs as he had pledged during his campaign. He criticized the European Union and other countries for their huge trade surpluses with the United States.

“The European Union is very, very bad to us,” he stated, reiterating comments made the previous day. “So they’re going to be in for tariffs. It’s the only way … you’re going to get fairness.”

Trump also mentioned his consideration of tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless they take action to curb the trafficking of illegal migrants and fentanyl, including precursor chemicals from China, across the U.S. borders.

Earlier, Trump had threatened a 10% tariff on Chinese imports due to the ongoing trade issue but had adjusted his stance with a February 1 deadline. In response, China expressed its willingness to engage in discussions with the U.S. to resolve differences and foster mutually beneficial cooperation, with the foreign ministry emphasizing a desire for stable and sustainable ties.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro later clarified on CNBC that Trump’s tariff threat aimed to pressure Canada and Mexico to address the illegal flow of migrants and illicit drugs into the U.S.