Trump Warns EU: Buy US Oil and Gas to Reduce Trade Deficit or Face Tariffs

Dec 20, 2024, 10:44 AM

US President-elect Donald Trump has warned the European Union that it must reduce its trade deficit with the United States by significantly increasing purchases of American oil and gas or face tariffs. In messages posted on Truth Social on December 20, Trump stated that he told the EU they must "make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is tariffs all the way." An EU spokesperson responded that the EU is committed to phasing out Russian energy imports and diversifying supplies, and is ready to discuss strengthening economic ties with President-elect Trump, including in the energy sector. The US is the world's top LNG exporter and the largest oil producer, and US oil exports to Europe are already at record levels.