Trump says the European Union must buy US oil and gas in a trade ultimatum

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he told the European Union that it must reduce the trade gap with the US through oil and gas purchases or face tariffs.

“I told the European Union that they must make up their huge deficit with the United States by buying our oil and gas on a large scale. On the contrary, it's TARIFFS all the way,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform shortly after 1 a.m. ET.

according to US figuresthe country's goods and services trade deficit with the European Union was $131.3 billion in 2022.

A senior EU diplomat, who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject, told CNBC's Silvia Amaro that they were not surprised by Trump's comment on Friday and that it was a “good choice.” the energy to buy more US goods.

Another EU official, who also did not want to be named for the same reason, told Amaro that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to Trump last night.

The idea comes after EU heads of state held their last meeting of the year on Thursday, when the subject of European-US relations was discussed.

“The message is clear: the European Union is committed to continuing to work with the United States, pragmatically, to strengthen transatlantic ties,” European Council President António Costa said after the meeting. .

Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on US trading partners including China, Mexico and Canada signature as part of his presidential campaign – and has continued the statement as he prepares to take office, despite warn economists of risks to domestic inflation.

Analysts say there is much uncertainty about the level of tariffs Trump will be willing – or able – to pursue, and how much of his rhetoric is a starting point for striking deals.

Enrico Letta, a former Italian prime minister and dean of IE's School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, told CNBC's “Squawk Box Europe” on Friday that the EU must be ready to retaliate against Trump's threat.

“I think it's a trade approach, we have to respond to the above approach. (Trump) is mixing energy and tariffs on goods, manufacturing and so on. I 'I think it's wrong because the two subjects are completely different,' said Letta.

“If the deal is proposed by Trump – such an unfair deal on unrelated subjects – I think we have to do the same thing. “

“Since the most inconsistent part is the relationship on the financial side, we have to start considering that a solution might be a response on the financial side,” he said.

The US was the largest recipient of EU goods in 2023, accounting for 19.7% of its exports.

The EU has already indicated that it plans to buy more US energy in the coming years. Last month, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to reporters that it would be cheaper to replace imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) with US volumes, and that the EU would look to engage and negotiate on the issue when Trump takes office in 2025.

CNBC has reached out to the European Commission for comment on Trump's comments.