The United States threatens to levy taxes on European-made cars if the rate on American lobsters is not adjusted. That’s what US President Donald Trump said at a meeting with commercial fishermen in the state of Maine. Trump also targeted China for that reason. That country must also adjust its rates for lobster, otherwise measures may follow.

Trump adviser Peter Navarro was bombarded by Trump as the “lobster king”. He must keep things on the right track. Navarro is known, among other things, for his hard line in the trade battle with China.

The president also signed a proclamation at the meeting authorizing fishing in a protected natural area in the Atlantic. In 2016, the last year that Barack Obama was president of the United States, a fishing ban was imposed on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the coast of New England. The promulgation makes it possible to resume commercial fishing. Trump is also expected to end an earlier agreement to phase out red crab and lobster catches.

Trump previously threatened tariffs of up to 25 percent on European cars. He then relied on national security. He was against the massive import of cars because the technological knowledge, which could also be used for defense, would be lost. Imports of foreign cars have already been subject to extensive investigation.