Emre Yumlu 
U.S. President Donald Trump seems poised to reignite trade wars with his latest remarks. Trump announced that pharmaceutical tariffs would soon be implemented and used harsh language toward the European Union.
He also made it clear that he is not ready to negotiate with Iran, taking a firm stance on the matter. The course of the U.S.’s trade talks with its allies is raising concerns. Trump stated that the European Union has yet to present a fair trade deal.
Warning from Trump’s Former Commerce Secretary: Overconfidence Can Be Dangerous
Trump’s former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross warned that the White House might act with excessive confidence following its recent success in trade negotiations. In an exclusive interview with Fortune, Ross said, “The U.S. has made significant gains so far, but if they push too hard because of these victories, the other sides may not be able to meet the demands.”
According to Ross, the most fragile point is the European Union, as it is a complex structure made up of 27 countries, each with veto power. This makes it hard to find common ground with the EU.
“It’s very difficult to reach a trade deal with the European Union because they struggle to form a unified will,” Ross said.
Trump’s Threats Toward the EU Are Increasing
Trump has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the slow progress in negotiations with the EU. In posts on Truth Social, he threatened to impose a 50% tariff on EU imports. This tariff has been temporarily postponed for 90 days, but it may come back if negotiations fail to advance.
Former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker also voiced strong criticism during this period. He noted that his successor, Ursula von der Leyen, failed to establish direct contact with Trump and started negotiations too late. Juncker had met with Trump seven times in 2018, successfully persuading him to suspend steel and aluminum tariffs.
In contrast, von der Leyen has only held brief talks on the sidelines of international events, which has weakened the EU’s negotiating position.
Juncker emphasized the need for a strong stance when dealing with Trump, saying, “If you stand your ground, he respects you.” Otherwise, there is a risk that European countries may grow closer to China and Russia, and the U.S. could lose its allies.
Is the EU Weak? Or Unprepared?
Juncker stated that the European Commission is unprepared and that its sanctions lists have become vulnerable to U.S. counterattacks. Under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. aims to increase its influence over Europe not only through economic pressure but also politically.
“EU officials need to appear strong, or Trump won’t respect them,” Juncker said. He also revealed that his previous strategy was built on targeting Republican states to put Trump in a difficult position domestically.
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