Speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos had the same tone as throughout the week
Donald Trump loves Europe, just as he loves Russia. The president of the United States has distributed vows of love in the first days of his term, but minutes after saying them there is always a “but”.
After and to Vladimir Putin, the president of the United States spoke for Europe to listen. In a video conference broadcast at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Donald Trump assured that he has “friends in Europe”, but complained about “the time it takes for things to be approved”, particularly in the European Union.
“I sent people to the European Union to see if I can speed up a simple approval that Ireland gave me a week ago,” he continued, saying he quickly realized this would be a problem.
Repeating an idea left this week, Donald Trump reiterated that the European Union treats the United States “very, unfairly, very badly”, guaranteeing that it has “very big complaints” in relation to the 27.
“They have a big tax and a VAT tax, which is substantial. In practice, they don’t buy our agricultural products or our cars. They put tariffs on the things we want to produce,” he said, only to make a reversal later.
“I love Europe, I love European countries, but the process is uncomfortable and they treat the United States very unfairly with the taxes they impose”, he highlighted to a room full of people.
For this reason, and anticipating an inability of the European bureaucracy to give him what he wants, Donald Trump has a different proposal: “My message to all businesses in the world is very simple. Come make your products in America and we will give you the lowest taxes on Earth.”
“If they don’t make their products in America… they will have to pay a tariff”, he said, ending a speech in which he maintained the protectionist logic and in which he defended the ideas already left in his possession, namely investment in oil.
