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Trump Slams EU as 'Possibly as Bad as China' on Trade Amid Tariffs Row

© AP Photo / Evan VucciPresident Donald Trump, right, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after the family photo during the G7 Summit, Friday, June 8, 2018, in Charlevoix, Canada
President Donald Trump, right, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after the family photo during the G7 Summit, Friday, June 8, 2018, in Charlevoix, Canada - Sputnik International
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US President Donald Trump has again attacked Europe with a barrage of criticism amid the trade row which erupted after Washington introduced the metal tariffs on imports from the EU.

"No… Excuse me, the European Union is possibly as bad as China, only smaller. It is terrible what they do to us. Take a look at a car situation. They send us Mercedes. We can't send our cars. And look what they do to our farmers. They do not want our farm products," Trump said in an interview to Fox News.

Trump stressed that the US trade deficit with the European Union was $150 billion. He, however, added that he "loved" the European Union.

"I love those countries, Germany, and all of the countries, Scotland…. But they treat us very badly. They treat us very unfairly," he added, noting that his parents were born in Europe.

The president's statement comes amid a major row not only between the transatlantic partners but also between the US and China over trade issues. Trump has repeatedly stated that other states "took advantage" of the United States by maintaining tariffs on US products.

A threat of the looming trade war emerged when the United States in March imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports. Though the tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union, as well as several other states, were initially suspended, on May 31, Washington had removed the exemption.

READ MORE: China Has Leverage Amid Trade Row as US 'No Longer World's No 1' — Economists

The EU heavily criticized Washington's move and in response, unanimously approved a set of retaliatory tariffs against the US trade duties, including those on whiskey and motorcycles.

FILE - In this Tuesday, March 14, 2017, file photo, United States Trade Representative-nominee Robert Lighthizer, foreground, looks at documents during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington - Sputnik International
US Trade Rep Accuses EU of Fabricating Legal Theory to Justify Tariffs
As for China, commenting on the US decision, Beijing called on Washington to avoid excessive use of protectionist trade measures, with China Iron and Steel Association calling the US import tariff policy "foolish protectionist measures."

In May, the US proposed tariffs on $50 billion worth of  Chinese goods under an intellectual property probe. China vowed to implement its own retaliatory tariffs on US goods, including soybeans and aircraft, if the US duties are imposed.

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