Trump urges EU to purchase US oil, gas or face tariffs

US President-elect Donald Trump said on Friday that the European Union (EU) should make up their tremendous deficit with the US through the purchase of the US oil and gas or face tariffs.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said: “I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the US by the large scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way!!!”

The US trade deficit with the EU reached $131.3 billion in 2022, and the US was the largest destination for European exports in 2023, accounting for 19.7%.

Trump used trade war tactics against several countries, including China, during his first term, and repeatedly hinted at reconsidering this strategy in his recent election campaign to protect the US economy.