In a dramatic turn on Friday, President Trump declared a 50% tariff on EU imports, effective June 1, citing frustration with the pace of trade negotiations. “It’s time to play the game my way,” he told reporters, signaling an end to the administration’s brief diplomatic overture.
The tech industry wasn’t spared. Trump warned of a 25% tariff on iPhones and possibly other smartphones, chastising Apple CEO Tim Cook for expanding manufacturing in India. “You can build there,” Trump said, “but you’ll pay to sell here.”
Trump’s comments overshadowed months of negotiation efforts led by Scott Bessent, who had hoped to strike multiple trade deals by summer’s end. Instead, the president appears ready to skip formal talks and implement blanket tariffs—an approach likely to trigger global backlash.
Tariff Tsunami: Trump Targets EU Goods and Tech Giants in Shock Move
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