US President Donald Trump made a tough statement, calling on European countries to pay the United States significant amounts of reparations. According to him, Washington has already imposed high tariffs on European goods, which has forced European leaders to show interest in dialogue. However, Trump stressed that negotiations will begin only after European countries begin to transfer large amounts of money to the US annually. These payments, as the American leader noted, should cover not only current obligations, but also compensate for past years.

"They want to talk, but there will be no talk until they pay us a lot of money," — he stated, outlining the clear position of his administration.

Trump’s statement reflects his intention to rethink economic relations with Europe, which he believes have long favored European partners at the expense of U.S. interests. The tariffs were the first step in that strategy, and the demand for reparations raises the stakes in the transatlantic standoff, with serious implications for trade between the continents.

Earlier, the White House announced higher tariffs on a range of European goods, including cars and agricultural products, which resulted in losses for European exporters amounting to more than $15 billion. In response, the European Union began preparing countermeasures, but Trump, judging by his latest statement, does not intend to back down. Economic analysts note that in early April, representatives of Germany and France attempted to initiate consultations with Washington, but were refused until financial conditions were met. Within the United States, the president’s position is also controversial: Republicans support a tough course, considering it a way to strengthen the American economy, while Democrats warn of the risk of a global trade war. In Europe, EU leaders are planning an emergency summit in mid-April to develop a unified response strategy, but the split in opinions between countries dependent on exports to the United States and those who advocate tough sanctions against Washington complicates the situation.