U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Friday he told the European Union it must close its trade deficit with the United States by buying oil and gas or face tariffs.

“I told the EU they must pay for their huge deficit with the United States by buying our oil and gas at scale. Otherwise, it’s all tariffs,” Trump posted on his Truth social platform shortly after 1 a.m. . wait.

according to US dataIn 2022, the country’s trade deficit in goods and services with the EU was US$131.3 billion.

A senior EU diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic, told CNBC’s Silvia Amaro that they were not surprised by Trump’s comments on Friday and that energy was a “good option” to buy more U.S. goods.

Another EU official, who spoke on condition of anonymity for the same reason, told Amaro that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to Trump last night.

The comments came after EU heads of state held their last meeting of the year on Thursday, where the topic of EU-US relations was discussed.

European Council President Antonio Costa said after the meeting: “The message is clear: the EU is committed to continuing practical cooperation with the United States and strengthening the transatlantic relationship.”

Trump threatens sweeping tariffs on U.S. trading partners Includes China, Mexico and Canada It was a signature part of his presidential campaign — a story he nonetheless continues to tell as he prepares to take office Economists warn Domestic inflation risks.

Analysts say there is considerable uncertainty about the extent of tariffs Trump is willing or able to impose and the extent to which his rhetoric is a starting point for a deal.

Enrico Letta, a former Italian prime minister and dean of IE’s School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Friday that the EU needs to be prepared to retaliate against Trump’s threats.

“I think it’s a transactional approach and we have to respond to that transactional approach. (Trump) lumps energy and commodity tariffs, manufacturing, etc. together. I don’t think that’s right because those two topics are completely different ,” Letta said.

“If this deal was proposed by Trump — such an asymmetric deal on unrelated issues — I think we have to do the same.”

“Given that the most asymmetrical part of the relationship is the financial side, we have to start thinking that maybe responding on the financial side might be a solution,” he said.

The United States is the largest recipient of EU goods, accounting for Accounts for nearly one-fifth of EU exports. American largest trade deficit The trade surplus with the EU is mainly concentrated in the machinery and vehicles sectors, with the total gap reaching 102 billion euros ($106 billion) by 2023. In the energy sector, Washington’s trade surplus with the EU is worth 70 billion euros.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts that the United States is the world’s largest oil producer and will account for 22% of global supply by 2023. Record crude oil production 2024. producer Supply levels are expected to be higher in a deregulatory environment under Trump.

The EU has said it expects to buy more U.S. energy in the coming years. Last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tell reporters It would be cheaper to replace Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) with US imports, and the EU will engage and negotiate on this matter when Trump takes office in 2025.

Ahead of the November U.S. election, EU officials spent months If Trump wins, the United States will be prepared to turn to protectionism and establish a more confrontational relationship with the White House. The EU also Take action to strengthen the relationship Work with the UK as it leaves the EU in 2020 to prevent potential conflicts on trade and defence.

European stocks were sharply lower on Friday morning, with the euro rising 0.2% to $1.038 against the dollar.

CNBC has contacted the European Commission for comment on Trump’s remarks.