Trump, with Swedish PM at side, slams European mistreatment
President Donald Trump blamed the European Union for mistreating the United States on trade and vowed to protect America’s companies and its workers.
“The European Union hasn’t treated us very well, and it’s been a very, very unfair trade situation,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven.
Lofven said that Sweden must make an effort to band with the U.S. and that it’s in the best interest of his country to have open and free trade with countries.
“As a member of the European Union, I think it’s important for us to try to find a way to cooperate between the European Union and the United States,” Lofven said.
Trade war fears have been looming since Trump announced he intends to impose tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum.
The president said trade wars “aren’t so bad” when the U.S. has deficits with other countries.
“When we are down by 30 billion, 40 billion, 60 billion, 100 billion, the trade war hurts them, doesn’t hurt us,” Trump told Fox News’ John Roberts.
Lofven said he regrets that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negations ended.
“Perhaps with negotiation and talks, we can come into a situation where the European Union and the United States can cooperate,” he said. “That would be a very good solution.”