President Trump on Friday recommended a 50% tariff on the European Union starting next month, saying administration efforts to reach a tariff-trade deal with the collective of European nations have thus far gone "nowhere!"

Trump, who last month imposed sweeping tariffs on countries around the world, also argued in recommending the EU tariffs that the group was formed "primarily" to take collective economic advantage of the U.S. 

"The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with," Trump posted on Truth Social. 

"Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable. Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"