Europe is "possibly as bad as China" on trade, President Donald Trump said in an interview broadcast Sunday.
"The European Union is possibly as bad as China, only smaller," he said on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" program. "It’s terrible what they do to us."
“I love those countries, Germany, and all of the countries. Scotland…. But they treat us very badly. They treat us very unfairly,” he added, noting that his parents were born in Europe.
Trump also threatened to sanction European countries doing business with Iran.
Trump said he didn't put restrictions on Chinese companies investing in U.S. tech because he "didn't like pinpointing China" and "they are not the only" country stealing U.S. intellectual property.
"I get along with China. I like the president. President for life, we can call him the king, right? I like the president," Trump said. "I didn't like pinpointing China. I don't think it's fair.
"They are not the only one. Now, they are bigger and stronger, and frankly they do it more, and they're probably a bigger violator, but it is other countries, too. I wanted to go worldwide ... So you mean China can't do it but other countries can?"
The president has continued to complain about American trade deficits with other countries, arguing that each of those nations should be subject to tariffs.
That, in turn, has drawn widespread criticism from his own party, Democrats and international leaders over his decision to enact steep tariffs on imports of steel, aluminum and other products from the European Union, Canada, Mexico and other countries.
Some nations have implemented retaliatory tariffs, raising concerns of a global trade war.
Trump has repeatedly doubled down on the policy, claiming that it will eventually prompt other leaders to come to the bargaining table.