Trump threatens tariffs on EU cars

US President Donald Trump reiterated his threat to impose tariffs on cars imported from the European Union (EU) if a trade deal can't be reached between the two sides.

"We're trying to make a deal, they are very tough to make a deal with," the president told reporters at the White House. "If we don't make a deal, we'll do the tariffs."

Trump's remarks came three days after the US Commerce Department submitted to the president a report on whether imported cars and parts pose a national security threat under Section 232 of US trade law.

The report, the details of which haven't been disclosed, has already provoked a response from the European Union.

In June 2018, Trump called on Twitter for tariffs of 20 per cent on imported automobiles, and in November the president raised the suggested rate to 25 per cent after General Motors announced its plan to close several US plants and cut more than 14,000 jobs.

Trump has 90 days to decide whether to adopt the recommendations and introduce tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts.