Trump warns of 'very heavy tariffs' if EU makes Canada an associate member

Speaking to reporters while travelling to an event in North Carolina, Trump said the EU could face very serious tariffs or restrictions on trade with the US if he considered the move hostile.

US President Donald Trump has warned the European Union of possible retaliatory measures if the bloc proceeds with a proposal to make Canada its first associate member, Reuters reported.

Speaking to reporters while travelling to an event in North Carolina, Trump said the EU could face "very serious tariffs" or restrictions on trade with the US if he considered the move hostile.

'A hostile act'

"If they do that, if I think it's at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things," Trump said, describing the proposal as "laughable".

Trump added that the US response would depend on the EU's intentions. If the move was made with "bad intention", he said Washington would impose "very heavy tariffs" on Europe, while a move made with a "good intention" would not prompt such action.

What EU said

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the proposal on Wednesday during her annual State of the Union speech. Canadian Prime Minister Mick Carney attended the address as von der Leyen called for stronger ties among allies in what she described as "an openly hostile world".

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