President Donald Trump on Friday issued a statement threatening 50% tariffs to the European Union (EU) and 25% Apple Inc.
In a Truth Social post, the president made clear that the lack of progress in trade talks with the EU, and Apple’s ongoing reliance on foreign production, would no longer be tolerated if he returns to the White House.
“Our discussions with them are going nowhere,” Trump wrote. “Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States.”
This is the latest escalation in Trump’s ongoing battle to level the global trade playing field and end what he calls unfair advantages enjoyed by foreign producers at the expense of American workers.
While critics claim his tariff strategy disrupts markets, supporters argue it’s the necessary pressure needed to revive domestic manufacturing and protect national economic interests.
Unlike the EU, China recently agreed to lower tariffs to 30% to keep negotiations with Washington on track—demonstrating that Trump’s tough tactics can yield results.
The European Union, however, has insisted on tariff-free trade, even as the U.S. seeks to maintain a modest 10% baseline on imports to protect domestic industry. Trump has said enough is enough.
Apple was also directly targeted by Trump’s comments, signaling that even iconic American brands will not be spared from accountability.
“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump wrote. “If that is not the case, a tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”
Apple, like many global tech firms, has sought to shift manufacturing to countries like India to reduce reliance on China and lower costs. However, Trump has consistently maintained that outsourcing American tech production undermines U.S. workers, weakens national supply chains, and jeopardizes economic independence.
His firm stance is part of a broader push to re-shore critical industries and reassert America’s industrial strength. The threat against Apple comes amid similar pressure applied to major corporations such as Amazon and Walmart, which Trump has previously warned not to use tariffs as an excuse to raise consumer prices.
Markets reacted nervously to the latest announcements, with stock futures slipping shortly after the posts. Still, for Trump’s base and many in the manufacturing sector, the message was clear: if you want to sell in America, you should be making your products in America.
The president’s strategy is to leverage the power of the U.S. consumer market—one of the largest in the world—to incentivize production at home. As the 2024 election cycle heats up, these aggressive economic policies will likely remain a cornerstone of Trump’s appeal to working-class voters and industrial states.