#TrumpTariffs
US President Donald Trump reignited trade tensions on Friday, threatening a 50% tariff on all goods sent to the United States from the European Union.
He also warned Apple that he would impose a 25% import tax "at least" on iPhones not manufactured in America, later widening the threat to any smartphone.
The warning against the EU came just hours before the two sides were set to have trade talks. Trump last month announced a 20% tariff on most EU goods, but had halved it to 10% until 8 July to allow time for negotiations.
"Our discussions with them are going nowhere!" Trump wrote in a post on social media on Friday. He said he was recommending that new tariffs kick in on 1 June.
In remarks to reporters at the White House later, Trump said his plan was set.
"I'm not looking for a deal - we've set the deal," he said, before immediately adding that a big investment in the US by a European company might make him open to a delay.
Neither Apple, nor the EU responded to the threats. Politicians from members of the bloc greeted his post with dismay but said they did not expect to shift strategy.
"We are maintaining the same line: de-escalation, but we are ready to respond," French Foreign Minister Laurent Saint-Martin wrote on social media on Friday morning, adding that the latest threats were "not helping" the negotiations.
Analysts said it remained to be seen whether the rhetoric would turn into reality.
"We have to keep in mind that at this point, this is a threat. It's not an announcement. There is no executive order," trade expert Aslak Berg from the Centre for European Reform told the BBC.
He said he thought Trump's post was intended to increase leverage ahead of the negotiations.
"But the fact of the matter is the EU is not going to budge. They are going to stay calm, carry on and it will be a very difficult discussion this afternoon."