EU will be reeling over how to tackle trade talks after Trump’s 30% tariff threat

Bloc had already backtracked from tough talk to seeking a bare bones deal - but US president has turned tables again

Second-guessing Donald Trump is a fool's errand.

But Saturday's shock threat to impose tariffs of 30% on the EU is a blow to the bloc's confidence, which had already secretly capitulated during negotiations with diplomats revealing they had to sacrifice trade for the wider prize of security and defence of the continent.