Donald Trump announced that tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union will rise to 25 percent, accusing the bloc of failing to respect a trade agreement with the United States.
In a public statement, Trump said the higher tariffs will apply to vehicles entering the US market unless they are manufactured in American factories.
“I am pleased to announce that, because the European Union is not honouring our trade agreement, next week I will increase tariffs on cars and trucks entering the United States to 25 percent,” he wrote.
He added that vehicles produced in US plants will not be subject to the tariff and pointed to ongoing investments in domestic manufacturing worth more than 100 billion dollars.
Threat to withdraw US troops
The announcement came a day after Trump indicated he was considering reducing the number of American troops stationed in Germany. He subsequently threatened to withdraw US forces from both Italy and Spain.
When asked whether he would consider such a move, Trump responded: “Why wouldn’t I? Italy hasn’t helped us at all, and Spain has been terrible, absolutely terrible.”
Trump has criticised several NATO allies for not sending military forces to participate in naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Italy rejects accusations
Italy’s defence minister, Guido Crosetto, said he did not understand Trump’s motivation for threatening to remove American troops from Italy and rejected claims that Rome had failed to assist the United States.
“As everyone knows, that never happened,” Crosetto told the Italian news agency ANSA, adding that Italy had offered to contribute to a mission aimed at protecting maritime navigation, an effort that was appreciated by the US military.
Approximately 13,000 American personnel are currently stationed across seven naval bases in Italy.
The Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily has drawn particular attention since the start of the Iran conflict, with residents and political figures expressing concern about increased military activity.
In late March, Italy refused permission for US military aircraft heading to the Middle East to pass through the base because the request for landing clearance was made only after the aircraft were already en route.
Under agreements in place since the late 1950s, US bases in Italy may be used for logistics and training purposes but cannot serve as transit hubs for aircraft carrying weapons for military operations unless there is an emergency.
Relations between Rome and Washington were further strained after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised Trump for attacking Pope Leo after the pontiff condemned the war.
Strategic bases in Spain
In Spain, the US military presence is concentrated in two joint bases in the region of Andalusia: the Naval Station Rotaand the Morón Air Base.
Although both bases are under Spanish command, they receive substantial funding from Washington. Rota serves as a key hub for the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet, while Morón functions as a strategic base for the US Air Force and Marine Corps for operations across Europe and Africa.
At the end of 2025, slightly more than 3,800 US military personnel were stationed in Spain. However, Madrid’s refusal to allow the bases to be used for operations related to the conflict with Iran has led to the relocation of several US aircraft.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had already angered Trump last year when he rejected a proposal to increase NATO defence spending to 5 percent of GDP, calling the idea “not only unreasonable but also counterproductive”.
NATO withdrawal threat
On 1 April, Trump also said he was considering withdrawing the United States from NATO due to the refusal of European allies to join the war against Iran and assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz.
Such a move would have significant consequences for European security. However, it is widely considered unlikely because US law prevents a president from withdrawing from NATO without a two-thirds majority in the Senate or an act of Congress.
Source: cnn.gr / ertnews.gr