US President-elect Donald Trump today threatened the European Union with tariffs if it does not reduce its “huge” trade deficit with Washington by buying oil and gas from it.

“I told the European Union that it must cover its huge deficit with the United States by buying our oil and gas on a large scale,” the Republican billionaire wrote in a message posted on his own social media site Truth.

“Otherwise it will be TARIFFS all the way!!!” Donald Trump threatened.

Imports of goods from the EU amounted in 2022 to 553.3 billion. dollars (533.17 billion euros), while US exports to the Twenty-Seven represented 350.8 billion. dollars (€338.04 billion), according to US data, meaning a trade deficit of $202.5 billion (€195.13 billion) between the United States and Europe.

Donald Trump, who takes office in January, has threatened to impose steep tariffs on the United States’ trading partners, notably Canada, Mexico and China, which could have an impact on the global economy.

Trump accused neighbors Canada and Mexico of flooding the United States with drugs and illegal immigrants and announced 25 percent tariffs on imports from those countries, while also vowing to impose tariffs of at least 10 percent on rival China Washington in the Asia-Pacific zone.

Canada, Mexico and China are three of the main trading partners of the United States.

On 6 December, the EU concluded an extensive trade agreement with four South American Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) with the aim of creating a free trade zone of 700 million consumers.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the deal would create trade bridges at a time when “strong winds are blowing in the opposite direction, towards isolation and fragmentation”, a comment seen as a hint at Donald Trump’s threats to increase customs duties.

The US president-elect’s threats to impose tariffs may, analysts say, be bluster or pressure for future trade negotiations when he takes office.

But he continued to insist that tariffs, “if used properly,” would be positive for the American economy.

“Our country is losing right now to everybody,” he told reporters earlier this week, speaking from his Florida residence. “Tariffs will make our country rich.”