WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump warned on the 16th that he could impose additional tariffs on the European Union over its offer to grant Canada the bloc's first associate member status, saying he might treat the move as a "hostile" act.
Trump, who traveled to North Carolina for local events that day, spoke to reporters after stepping off Air Force One. Asked about the possibility of Canada becoming an EU associate member, he said he did not think it would happen.
"If they do that, and if I consider that a hostile act, we will impose very high tariffs or halt trade with Europe on many items," Trump warned. "If they do it in good faith, that would be fine, but if the intent is bad, we will impose very high tariffs on Europe, and that is possible," he said. He also criticized Canada, which has clashed with the United States over trade, calling it a "terrible trading partner."
On the war with Iran, Trump said, "We want the war to be in its final stages," adding, "They want a deal, and we will see what happens." He repeated that Iran wants a deal very badly.
Separately, Trump said the Kennedy Center, Washington's flagship performing arts venue, "will need enormous subsidies going forward" if it is to pursue renovation work amid its financial troubles. "Since our administration is trying to push that work forward, the administration should get credit for it," he said.
The Kennedy Center's board had sought to place Trump's name on the exterior of the building and elsewhere, but ran into obstacles when a court blocked the plan. Last month the board revived a proposal to inscribe on the exterior a note crediting Trump for restoring and remodeling the center. When the court did not permit that either, the board decided to close the center, citing financial difficulties and aging facilities.
The board, made up mostly of Trump appointees, argues that Trump is unlikely to provide financial support for the remodeling unless his contribution is properly acknowledged at the center.
