[Anchor]
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will not participate in the key aspect of Ukraine’s war-ending negotiations regarding Ukraine’s security guarantees and will leave it to Europe.
He also decided to impose tariffs on the European Union.
He mentioned that the tariffs will be announced soon, and the tariff rate will be 25%.
This is Washington correspondent Kim Ji-sook.
[Report]
President Trump held his first cabinet meeting of his second term, attended even by influential figures like Elon Musk.
From the beginning, he mentioned the Ukraine war-ending negotiations and made it clear that the U.S. would not handle the crucial issue of Ukraine’s security guarantees, leaving it to Europe.
[Donald Trump/U.S. President: “(We will not provide) security guarantees for Ukraine. Europe will ensure their security.”]
He also dismissed the possibility of Ukraine’s NATO membership, which President Zelensky of Ukraine is staking his position on.
He further revealed his perception that the attempt to join NATO was the reason for Russia’s invasion.
[Donald Trump/U.S. President: “What I can say is that you can forget about NATO. I think that’s the reason everything started.”]
President Trump stated that he would soon announce a 25% tariff on the European Union.
He emphasized that the tariff, while applied universally, would particularly hit the automotive industry.
[Donald Trump/U.S. President: “We have made a decision. We will announce it soon, and the tariff rate will be 25%. It will apply to everything, including cars.”]
Tariffs on Canada and Mexico are scheduled to start from April 2.
They are currently deferred for one month until April 4, but this will be extended by about another month.
It is expected to be implemented in connection with reciprocal tariff measures and announcements of tariff rates on cars and semiconductors.
Meanwhile, President Trump avoided giving a direct answer to whether the U.S. would protect Taiwan if China invaded, highlighting his friendship with China.
There are rising concerns over Trump’s ‘peace through strength’ approach.
This is Kim Ji-sook reporting for KBS News from Washington.
Cameraman: Park Jun-seok/Video Editing: Kim Eun-joo/Research: Park Eun-jin, Kim Na-young
[Reporting details]
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