Trump to EU: Drop Your Tariffs and We'll 'Drop Ours'

President Donald Trump challenged the European Union on Saturday to "drop their horrific barriers and tariffs on U.S. products" if those countries did not want to see new duties on their steel and aluminum exports to this country.

"We will likewise drop ours," the president said on Twitter:

The European Union, wonderful countries who treat the U.S. very badly on trade, are complaining about the tariffs on Steel & Aluminum. If they drop their horrific barriers & tariffs on U.S. products going in, we will likewise drop ours. Big Deficit. If not, we Tax Cars etc. FAIR!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2018

Trump on Thursday signed proclamations imposing duties of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum that will take effect in 15 days.

The tariffs will not initially apply to Canada and Mexico, the president said, adding security and trade partners could negotiate to seek exemptions.

Republicans were among those opposing the duties, joining economists and other nations in warning that they could start a global trade war.

The EU has threatened to slap similar tariffs on American products.

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