Two Eurosceptic leaders, Frenchman Jordan Bardella and British Nigel Farage, have distanced themselves from Donald Trump after the US president’s decision to impose tariffs on France, the United Kingdom and six other European countries as punishment for their participation in the Danish-led Arctic Endurance military operation in Greenland. Bardella, president of the far-right Rassemblement National movement, and Farage, the architect of Brexit and leader of the Reform UK party, are campaigning and leading in the polls.
“We don’t always agree with the American government and, in this specific case, we certainly don’t. These taxes will hurt us,” Farage declared.
Bardella added: “The United States puts us before a choice: to accept a dependency disguised as partnership, or to act as a sovereign power capable of defending our interests. Surrendering today would set a dangerous precedent, exposing other European territories, even French ones abroad, tomorrow.” Trump has become an unwelcome figure for European politicians close to his MAGA movement. Not for everyone, however. Italy’s Matteo Salvini, leader of the League and a member of Bardella’s European Patriots movement, has welcomed the US threat to impose a 200% tax on French wines.
“Am I worried about Trump’s new taxes? I read that he wants to impose taxes on French wines. It would be better for Italian wines,” the Italian deputy prime minister declared.