The US may impose car tariffs on the European Union if the sides are unable to reach a deal on trade, President Donald Trump says, accusing Brussels of being "very difficult" over a number of years.
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"It's something we think about," Trump said about tariffs during a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who was visiting the White House.
"If we don't make the deal, we will do the tariffs.
"They've been very difficult over a period of time."
This week, the US Department of Commerce submitted its assessment to Trump about tariffs and whether EU products present a national security issue.
The report's findings are not yet public, but the completion of the study gives Trump a card to play in talks.
Trump has been threatening the EU with tariffs on its car exports to pressure the bloc into better access for US products.
Austria's numerous suppliers to German carmakers stand to suffer from such tariffs, and Kurz said he was keen to advance trade negotiations. "As a small country, we need international cooperation," said Kurz.
Ahead of the visit, 32-year-old Kurz lauded Trump for his pro-Israel stance, his nuclear diplomacy with North Korea and his pressure on European NATO members to increase military spending.
Australian Associated Press
