Kathmandu: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited trade tensions by threatening a 50 percent tariff on all European Union (EU) imports and a 25 percent tariff on Apple products if the tech giant does not move its manufacturing to the United States.

In a social media post on Friday, Trump declared, “Our negotiations with the European Union are not progressing. Therefore, I am recommending a 50 percent tariff on all goods from the European Union starting in 2025. But if those goods are manufactured in the United States, there will be no tariff.”

Trump also criticized Apple, warning that if the company continues to manufacture its products in Asia, it would face a 25 percent import tax. This move adds pressure on major American corporations like Apple, Amazon, and Walmart, all of which are navigating uncertainty and rising costs due to his tariff-heavy economic strategy.

The former president expressed frustration with stalled trade talks with the EU, despite the European bloc offering to eliminate tariffs on all goods. Trump, however, has maintained that the U.S. must impose at least a 10 percent tariff on most goods to protect domestic industries.

According to the Associated Press (AP), Trump’s statements—often made on social media—have previously impacted global markets, but his tariff policies have yet to achieve the intended result of reviving U.S. manufacturing at the scale promised.

The renewed tariff threats mark a significant escalation in Trump's trade agenda, as he continues to advocate for "America First" economic nationalism ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.