According to a Wednesday report by The Washington Post, the Trump administration quietly threatened last week to impose tariffs on key European nations, just before they officially accused Iran of breaching the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Commenting on recent revelations by The Washington Post that the Trump administration had threatened to impose 25-percent tariff on European cars from Germany, France, and Britain if they refused to condemn Tehran’s actions, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that the EU three have sold out the remnants of the JCPOA to avoid the penalty.
Appeasement confirmed.
E3 sold out remnants of #JCPOA to avoid new Trump tariffs.
It won't work my friends. You only whet his appetite. Remember your high school bully?
If you want to sell your integrity, go ahead. But DO NOT assume high moral/legal ground.
YOU DON'T HAVE IT. pic.twitter.com/tePZhN2E4X
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 16, 2020
On Tuesday, France, Great Britain, and Germany confirmed that they had launched the Iran nuclear deal dispute mechanism.
Several days prior to the announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a joint statement that they remained committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and urged Tehran to cancel all measures that do not comply with the Iran nuclear deal.
Donald Trump has already threatened to impose a 25% levy on foreign cars, including those from the EU, citing alleged threats to US national security.
