Trump: EU is as bad as China and treats the US very badly

DONALD Trump continued his attack on Europe over trade yesterday by saying the EU was ‘as bad’ as China.

The US president insisted America was treated ‘very badly’ by the EU.

His administration has been at war with Brussels since the US decided to raise tariffs on imports of steel, aluminium and other products from China, the EU, Canada, and Mexico.

In retaliation, the EU has said it will slap duties worth €2.8billion on the US, hitting products such as denim, Harley-Davidson motorbikes and bourbon. Beijing has also hit back with its own counter-measures.

Mr Trump told Fox News that although he was fond of European countries, America had some of the ‘worst trade deals in the world’.

He said: ‘The European Union is possibly as bad as China, just smaller... it is terrible what they do to us.’

Highlighting his own European heritage, he said: ‘Now we all sort of love the European Union, you know I was there many, many years ago, meaning my parents were born in the European Union.

‘And I love those countries. Germany and all of the countries, Scotland, you know you have Scotland, they’re still in there, they’re still hanging in there, right?

‘Let’s see what happens with Brexit, but they treat us very badly.’

His comments come after the European Commission warned the US that imposing tariffs on European cars ‘will be harmful first and foremost for the US economy’.

Brussels said the move could spark an international trade war.

But Mr Trump seemed positive the tariff dispute would ‘work out’, saying: ‘Every country is calling every day, saying, “Let’s make a deal.”’