DAVOS-Trump says auto tariffs a strong consideration if no Europe deal

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had "very good" talks with the European Union on Tuesday, but if a deal was not struck, Washington would strongly consider auto tariffs. The White House has repeatedly delayed a decision on whether to impose tariffs on cars from Europe.

Trump's threat to put tariffs on a key European export has triggered a strong rebuke from European officials and companies, which are major employers in the EU bloc. "We expect to be able to make a deal with Europe. And if they don't make a deal we'll certainly give that very strong consideration," Trump said at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, referring to tariffs.

Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported that the Trump administration had threatened to impose a 25% tariff on European automobile imports if Britain, France, and Germany did not formally accuse Iran of breaking a 2015 nuclear deal.