The European Union on Thursday pushed back hard against allegations by US President Donald Trump that the 27-nation bloc was out to get the United States, and warned that it would vigorously fight any wholesale tariff of 25 percent on all EU products.

The tit-for-tat dispute following Trump's comments, which were aimed at a staunch US ally and its main postwar economic partner, further deepened the trans-Atlantic rift that was already opened by Trump's warnings that Washington would drop security guarantees for its European allies.

Thursday's EU pushback came after Trump told reporters that “the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. That’s the purpose of it, and they’ve done a good job of it,” adding that it would stop immediately under his presidency.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, went on a counteroffensive.

“The EU wasn’t formed to screw anyone," Tusk said in an X post.

"Quite the opposite. It was formed to maintain peace, to build respect among our nations, to create free and fair trade, and to strengthen our transatlantic friendship. As simple as that.”

Trump falsely said in comments late Wednesday that the United States no longer imported much from Europe and so was ready for any backlash from the tariffs. 

“We are the pot of gold. We’re the one that everybody wants. And they can retaliate. But it cannot be a successful retaliation, because we just go cold turkey. We don’t buy any more. And if that happens, we win.” 

Actually, the US imports more from Europe than it exports. And Trump has complained in the past about this trade deficit.

While the bloc has a substantial export surplus in goods, the EU notes that this is mostly offset by its imports of US services. The EU exported €503 billion in goods to the United States in 2023 while importing €347 billion, creating a €157 billion surplus for the bloc, EU data showed. 

But the EU imported €427 billion in US services while exporting only €319 billion to the US, leaving the EU with a deficit of €109 billion.

The trade volume between both sides stands at about $1.5 trillion, representing around 30 percent of global trade.

These figures are so big that it remains essential to avoid a trade war, the EU has warned. 

The EU has warned that the moment that tariffs are announced, it would trigger tough countermeasures on iconic US industries like bourbon, jeans and motorcycles.

European Commission trade spokesman Olof Gill said that the EU would stand up to the Trump administration if tariffs are announced.

“The EU will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade,” Gill said in a statement. “We will also protect our consumers and businesses at every turn. They expect no less from us.”

Gill also countered Trump's caustic comments on the inception of the EU and its development as an economic powerhouse.

“The European Union is the world’s largest free market. And it has been a boon for the United States,” he said Wednesday shortly after Trump's remarks, adding that the EU has “facilitated trade, reduced costs for US exporters, and harmonized standards and regulations”, which makes it easier for US exporters.

“We should work together to preserve these opportunities for our people and businesses. Not against each other,” Gill said.

“Europe stands for dialogue, openness and reciprocity. We’re ready to partner if you play by the rules.”

Trump announced Thursday that planned tariffs on imports from US neighbours Canada and Mexico are set to come into effect starting March 4, adding that China-made products would face an additional 10 percent.