‘Our allies have taken advantage of us more so than our enemies’ says Trump

Donald Trump said on Tuesday (October 15, 2024) that America’s allies have taken advantage of it more than its enemies. file | Photo Credit: AFP via Getty Images

Former President and Republican Presidential Candidate donald trump Said on Tuesday (October 15, 2024) that America’s allies have taken advantage of this more than its enemies.

“Our allies have taken advantage of us more than our enemies. are our allies European UnionOur trade deficit with the EU is $300 billion,” Mr Trump told the Economic Club of Chicago in response to a question.

“We had trade deals so bad that I said, who are these people doing this? They’re either very stupid or they’re getting paid,” he said.

“I have imposed 27.5% tariffs on China. Otherwise, we will be flooded with Chinese cars. All our factories will be closed. We will have no jobs in the auto industry. The same applies to electricity, which is deadly, as I’ve explained. I put tariffs on South Korea because they were sending trucks. I’ve put a tariff on a pretty big tariff,” he said.

“Did you know that our car companies make almost all of their money from small trucks, SUVs and mini trucks? If I took those tariffs you would be very upset. Every car company will go out of business,” Mr Trump said.

Answering questions on Russia, he defended his relations with President Vladimir Putin.

On tariffs, he reiterated that India is a strict country.

“India is a very strict country. It is not just China. China, I would say probably the hardest. You know what’s really hard? The European Union, our beautiful European countries, wonderful, wonderful. If you add them up, they’re about our size. They treat us very badly. We have a deficit,” Mr Trump said.

“We are going to bring the companies back. We’re going to lower taxes even further for companies that are going to make their products in the United States. We’re going to protect those companies from strong tariffs because I believe in tariffs,” he said.