President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he has appointed Andrew Puzder, former CEO of the fast-food chain ‘CKE Restaurants,’ as the new U.S. Ambassador to the European Union.
This decision comes a day after the new U.S. leader vowed to impose tariffs on the EU.
Puzder had previously been nominated to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor during Trump’s first administration, but withdrew amid concerns that he would not secure enough votes in the Senate to be confirmed.
President Trump expressed that the trade deficit between the U.S. and the EU was at alarming levels.
“The European Union is very, very bad for us,” Trump said on Tuesday, reiterating comments he made on the day he took office.
“Therefore, tariffs are the only way to achieve fairness.”
President Trump had raised concerns about tariffs during his remarks to reporters at the White House after taking office but did not immediately impose tariffs as he had promised during his campaign. Trump has also threatened tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China.
“Andy will do a great job representing our nation’s interests in this important region,” the president said while announcing Puzder’s appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the EU.
When he was nominated as Secretary of Labor during Trump’s first administration, Puzder found himself at the center of a whirlwind of controversy, complaints, and potential conflicts.
In 2017, he admitted that he and his wife had employed an undocumented worker.
He also faced a number of complaints and legal issues raised by employees against his businesses.
Puzder served as CEO of ‘CKE Restaurants’ from 2000 to 2017.
