Trump pointed out that the European Union "takes advantage of the United States" and that there is a trade deficit between the United States and the EU of about "$300 billion."

However, the US political news website "Politico" previously reported that the US-European trade deficit is not as large as Trump said. According to EU data, the US trade deficit in goods with the EU in 2023 will be about $168.6 billion, but in services, the US has a surplus of about $112.6 billion. Overall, the United States has a trade deficit with the European Union of about $56 billion.

A spokesman for the European Commission said the EU would "take firm and swift measures to respond to unjustified trade barriers that impede free and fair trade". The European Commission spokesman added that the EU is the world's largest free trade market and its very existence is of great value to the US.