Trump vows to hit EU with tariffs, warns of 10% rate on China

US President Donald Trump pledged Tuesday to hit the European Union with tariffs, adding that a 10 percent duty on Chinese imports could also come as soon as February 1.

Trump, who was speaking to reporters at the White House a day after being sworn in, cited the need to rectify the EU's trade imbalances with the United States while taking aim once again at Beijing over fentanyl trafficking.

"They treat us very, very badly. So they're going to be in for tariffs," Trump said of the EU. "You can't get fairness unless you do that."

A day earlier, Trump accused the bloc of not importing enough American products, saying he would "straighten that out" by imposing duties or by urging for more oil and gas purchases.

Regarding China, Trump on Tuesday reiterated his threat to impose a 10 percent tariff, saying it was "based on the fact that they're sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada."

When asked how soon these tariffs could be enacted, he added: "Probably February 1st is the date we're looking at."

This was the same date he earlier said he could impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, accusing them of failing to stop illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking into the United States.

Mexico, Canada and China are leading sources for goods imported by the United States, according to official trade data.

The EU's economy commissioner vowed this week that the bloc stands ready to defends its interests.

Speaking at an annual meeting of global elites in Davos, Switzerland, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen declared that Europe was ready to negotiate with Trump, while maintaining that Washington remains an important partner.

The EU's "first priority will be to engage early, discuss common interests, and be ready to negotiate" with Trump, she said.

"We will be pragmatic, but we will always stand by our principles, to protect our interests and uphold our values," she said.

On Monday, Trump vowed an immediate overhaul of the US trade system -- promising to "tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens."

He signed an order directing agencies to study a range of trade issues including deficits, unfair practices and currency manipulation.

The investigations could pave the way for further duties.

Europeans are fretting the most about Trump's return, while countries from Brazil to China and India to Turkey believe he will be good for their countries and global peace, according to a recent survey from the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Rubio warns China over sea actions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his first full day in office Tuesday warned jointly with Japan, India and Australia against coercive actions in Asia, in a veiled but clear warning to China over its actions at sea.

Rubio met in Washington with his counterparts from the so-called Quad a day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has vowed to push back against a rising China.

But the gathering also marks a contrast with Trump's frequent dismissal of US allies and partners, with the returning US president on Tuesday threatening tariffs against the European Union.

Rubio and his counterparts in a joint statement promised to work toward a "free and open Indo-Pacific," deploying a codeword against Chinese aggression that has been utilized by US administrations from both major political parties.

The four said they support a region "where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty and territorial integrity are upheld and defended."

"We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion," the statement said.

The ministers also confirmed they would work to hold a Quad summit previously scheduled for this year in India, which would mean an early trip by Trump to the growing US partner often viewed in Washington as a bulwark against China.

Trump in his first term formed a strong bond with Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who regaled him with a massive rally together at a cricket stadium.

China has had rising friction with the Philippines, a US ally, over its assertive claims in territorial disputes.

Rubio in his confirmation hearing also vowed to deter China against an invasion of Taiwan, the self-governing democracy it claims as its own.

Trump during the campaign rattled Taiwan by saying it needed to pay the United States protection money, and Trump's nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, made headlines at his confirmation hearing by not being able to name a member of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The Quad was envisioned by late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and expanded into a leaders' summit by former president Joe Biden.

China has repeatedly lashed out at the Quad, saying it is a US plot to encircle the rising Asian power.

- When interests align -

Rubio, a three-term senator who a day earlier was unanimously confirmed by his peers, arrived at the State Department with a promise to defend US diplomats -- often maligned by his Republican Party -- while also pursuing Trump's belief in "America First."

"I expect every nation on earth to advance their national interests. And in those instances -- and I hope there will be many --  in which our national interests and theirs align, we look forward to working with them," Rubio said.

"We recognize that there will be those times unfortunately as humans interact with one another because of our nature that there will be conflict," Rubio said.

"We will seek to prevent them and avoid them, but never at the expense of our national security," he said.

With Trump's return, a slew of senior career diplomats quit their posts at the State Department as the new administration pushes to bring in political appointees it sees as loyal.

Addressing employees with his wife and four children by his side, Rubio said: "There will be changes."

"But the changes are not meant to be destructive, they're not meant to be punitive," he said.

"But we need to move faster than we ever have because the world is changing faster than we ever have."

More Russian sanctions

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday indicated he may impose fresh sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses to negotiate a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

"Sounds like it," Trump told reporters at the White House, when asked if the United States would apply additional sanctions on Moscow if the Russian president did not come to the table.

Prior to his inauguration on Monday, Trump vowed to end the Ukraine war immediately upon taking office, raising expectations he would leverage aid to force Kyiv to make concessions to Russia, which invaded in February 2022.

In unusually critical remarks of Putin, Trump said on Monday that the Russian president "should make a deal."

"I think he's destroying Russia by not making a deal."

Trump added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had told him that he wanted a peace agreement to end the war.