In a sharp escalation of trade negotiations with the European Union (E.U.), Trump took to social media on Friday and announced that he is “recommending a straight 50% tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1,

Trump doubled down Friday afternoon on the E.U. threat and added that not only Apple Inc. but Samsung and “anybody” making smartphones abroad would be hit with his 25% tariff,

A 50 percent tax on European imports would hit the continent hard, hurt the U.S. economy and slow growth globally.