Trump: Europe should expect a 25% tariff, 'generally speaking'

President Trump said Wednesday he expects to impose a 25% tariff on products from the European Union, blasting the bloc as unfair to the U.S.

The E.U. “was formed in order to screw the United States,” Mr. Trump said at a Cabinet meeting. “I mean, look, let’s be honest.”

Mr. Trump said the 25% level would be applied “generally” but he is specifically worried about automobiles.

“They don’t accept our cars. They don’t accept, essentially, our farm products,” Mr. Trump said. “We have about a $300 million deficit with the European Union.”

Mr. Trump brushed off the threat of retaliatory tariffs from the E.U., saying the U.S. is the “pot of gold” that dominates the market.

“They can try, but they can’t,” Mr. Trump said.

The president is pursuing an aggressive trade agenda at the outset of his second term.

He slapped a new 10% tariff on Chinese goods and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum from all countries. Also, he might follow through on threats to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico.