The president’s threats to slap duties on goods imported from the European Union are part of a pattern of directing the harshest penalties at the United States’ closest allies.

Canada, Mexico and China responded to Trump's long-promised tariffs on imports, with Canada immediately retaliating. The EU also weighed in with its reaction.

US President Donald Trump ramped up his tariff threats to the European Union while saying he would speak with the leaders of Canada and Mexico, as stock markets sank following a hectic weekend that saw prospects for a trade war turn into reality.

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted that the European Union could be the next target in his ongoing tariff battle. After imposing steep tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada, Trump now claims the EU has been unfairly benefiting at the expense of the U.

The European Union is preparing for a transatlantic trade fight, but US President Donald Trump’s decision to delay broad tariffs on Mexico and Canada this week has bolstered confidence in the bloc that it will be able to negotiate an acceptable outcome.