US President Donald Trump has reignited his trade war with Europe — recommending a 50 per cent tariff on all goods — with the complaint that negotiations have been “going nowhere”.

In an announcement on Truth Social on Saturday (AEST), Trump said the tariff would take effect on June 1.

Trump also threatened a 25 per cent tariff on Apple products unless iPhones were manufactured in the United States.

This could dramatically increase the price of iPhones, potentially hurting sales and the profits of one of America’s leading technology companies.

Trump claimed the EU’s tactics on trade had led to a trade deficit with the US of $US250 million a year, which was “totally unacceptable”.

“The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with,” complained Trump on social media.

“Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50 per cent tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025.

“There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he hoped an impending tariff would “light a fire under the EU” in negotiations with the US.

Regarding Trump’s threat to add a 25 per cent tariff to Apple iPhones, Bessent told Fox News that Trump wanted to bring precision manufacturing back to the United States, including semiconductors.

“I think that one of our greatest vulnerabilities is this external production, especially in semiconductors. And a large part of Apple’s components are in semiconductors,” Bessent said.

“So we would like to have Apple help us make the semiconductor supply chain more secure.”

The European Commission, which oversees trade policy for the EU, said it would not comment until after a call between European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Major stock indices tumbled, the US dollar fell against major currencies and the euro pared gains after Trump’s announcement on EU tariffs.

Trump threatens tax on Apple

Apple now joins Amazon, Walmart and other major companies as being in the White House’s crosshairs as they try to respond to the uncertainty and inflationary pressures unleashed by the import taxes being imposed by Trump.

“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday.

“If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25 per cent must be paid by Apple to the US.”

Apple, led by CEO Tim Cook, in response to Trump’s tariffs on China was looking to shift iPhone manufacturing to India as it adjusts supply chains.

That plan has become a festering source of frustration for the US president, who also brought it up last week during his Middle East trip.

-AAP