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European Union

The EU Official Flag

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union, consisting of 28 member states that are subject to the obligations and the privileges of the membership. Every member state is part of the founding treaties of the union and is subjected to binding laws within the common legislative and judicial institutions. In order for the EU to adopt policies that concern defence and foreign affairs, all member states must agree unanimously.

The European Union was founded on November 1, 1993 in Maastricht, Netherlands.

Before 1993, the EU was not as big as it is today. European countries started to cooperate economically since 1951, when only states such as Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, The Netherlands and Italy participated. Gradually, more countries decided to join. The last to join is Croatia in 2013.

List of 28 European Union member countries

Map of European Union Countries

The flags of the EU and the 28 member states

Austria is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1995 with its geographic size of 83,879 km, and population number 8,576,234, as per 2015. Austrians comprise 1.7% of the total EU population. Its capital is Vienna and the official language in Austria is German. Austrias Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 337.162 billion, as per 2015. The political system is a Federal Parliamentary Republic and its currency is the Euro (), since Austria became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999.

Austria holds 18 seats in the European Parliament, while it held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice, once in 1998 and in 2006. Austria is also amember of the Schengen Area since December 1, 2007.

Belgium is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 30,528 km, and population number 11,258,434, as per 2015. Belgians comprise 2.2% of the total EU population. Its capital is Brussels and the official languages in Belgium are Dutch, French, and German. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 409,407 billion, as per 2015. Its currency is (Euro), from Belgium became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system in Belgium is afederal parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Belgium holds 21 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1958 and 2010. Belgium is also a member state of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Bulgaria is a member country of the EU since January 1, 2007 with its geographic size of 110,370 km, and population number 7,202,198, as per 2015. Bulgarians comprise 1.4% of the total EU population. Its capital city is Sofia, and the official language in Bulgaria is Bulgarian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 44,162 billion, as per 2015. Its currency is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). The political system in Bulgaria is aparliamentary republic.

Bulgaria holds 17 seats in the European Parliament and will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2018. Bulgaria is not a member country of the Schengen Area.

Croatia is a member country of the EU since July 1, 2013 with its geographic size of 56,594 km, and population number 4,225,316, as per 2015. Croatians comprise 0.8% of the total EU population. Its capital is Zagreb and the official language in Croatia is Croatian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 43,897 billion, as per 2015. Croatias currency is Croatian Kuna HRK. The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Croatia holds 11 seats in the European Parliament and will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in the first half of 2020. Croatia is not a member country of the Schengen Area.

Cyprus is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 9,251 km, and population number 847,008, as per 2015. Cypriots comprise 0.2% of the total EU population. Its capital is Nicosia and the official language in Cyprus is Greek. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 17,421 billion, as per 2015. Cyprus currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2008. The political system is apresidential republic.

The Czech Republic is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 78,868 km, and population number 10,538,275, as per 2015. Czechs comprise 2.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Prague and the official language is Czech. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 163,947 billion, as per 2015. The Czech Republics currency is the Czech Koruna (CZK). The political system is aparliamentary republic.

The Czech Republic holds 21 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2009. The Czech Republic is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Denmark is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1973 with its geographic size of 42,924 km, and population number 5,659,715, as per 2015. The Danish comprise 1.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Copenhagen and the official language in Denmark is Danish. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 266.244 billion, as per 2015. Its currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). The political system is aparliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Denmark holds 13 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 7 times between 1973 and 2012. Denmark is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 25, 2001.

Estonia is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 45,227 km, and population number 1,313,271, as per 2015. The Estonians comprise 0.3% of the total EU population. Its capital is Tallinn and the official language is Estonian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 20.461 billion, as per 2015. Estonias currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2011. The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Estonia holds 6 seats in the European Parliament and will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in the first half of 2017. Estonia is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Finland is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1995 with its geographic size of 338,440 km, and population number 5,471,753, as per 2015. The Finnish comprise 1.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Helsinki and the official languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 207.220 billion, as per 2015. Finlands currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Finland holds 13 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice, in 1999 and 2006. Finland is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 25, 2001.

France is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 633,187 km, and population number 66,415,161, as per 2015. The French comprise 13.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Paris and the official language is French. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 2.184trillion, as per 2015. Frances currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is asemi-presidential republic.

France holds 74 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 13 times between 1959 and 2008. France is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Germany is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 357,376 km, and population number 81,197,537, as per 2015. The Germans comprise 16% of the total EU population. Its capital is Berlin and the official language is German. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 3.026 trillion, as per 2015. Germanys currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is afederal parliamentary republic.

Germany holds 96 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 11 times between 1958 and 2007. Germany is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Greece is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1981 with its geographic size of 131,957 km, and population number 10,858,018, as per 2015. Greeks comprise 2.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Athens and the official language is Greek. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 176.023 billion, as per 2015. Greeces currency is Euro () since it became a member of the eurozone on January 1, 2001. The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Greece holds 21 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 5 times between 1983 and 2014. Greece is a member country of the Schengen Area since January 1, 2000.

Hungary is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 93,011 km, and population number 9,855,571, as per 2015. Hungarians comprise 1.9% of the total EU population. Its capital is Budapest and the official language is Hungarian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 108.748 billion, as per 2015. Hungarys currency is Hungarian Forint (HUG). The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Hungary holds 21 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2011. Hungary is a member country of the Schengen Area since December21, 2007.

Ireland is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1973 with its geographic size of 69,797 km, and population number 4,628,949, as per 2015. The Irish comprise 0.9% of the total EU population. Its capital is Dublin and the official languages in Ireland are Irish and English. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 214.623 billion, as per 2015. Irelands currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Ireland holds 11 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 7 times between 1975 and 2013. Ireland is not a member country of the Schengen Area.

Italy is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 302,073 km, and population number 60,795,612, as per 2015. The Italians comprise 12% of the total EU population. Its capital is Rome and the official language in Italy is Italian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 1.636 trillion, as per 2015. Italys currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Italy holds 73 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1959 and 2014. Italy is a member country of the Schengen Area since October 26, 1997.

Latvia is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 64,573 km, and population number 1,986,096, as per 2015. Latvians comprise 0.4% of the total EU population. Its capital is Riga and the official language is Latvian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 24.378 billion, as per 2015. Latvias currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2014. The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Latvia holds 8 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2015. Latvia is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Lithuania is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 65,286 km, and population number 2,921,262, as per 2015. Lithuanians comprise 0.6% of the total EU population. Its capital is Vilnius and the official language is Lithuanian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 37.124 billion, as per 2015. Lithuanias currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2014. The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Lithuania holds 11 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2013. Lithuania is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Luxembourg is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 2,586 km, and population number 562,958, as per 2015. Luxembourgers comprise 0.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Luxembourg and the official languages in Luxembourg are French and German. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 52.112 billion, as per 2015. Luxembourgs currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is aparliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Luxembourg holds 6 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1960 and 2015. Luxembourg is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Malta is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 315 km, and population number 429,334, as per 2015. The Maltese comprise 0.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Valletta and the official language is Maltese. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 8.796 billion, as per 2015. Maltas currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2008. The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Malta holds 6 seats in the European Parliament and will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2017. Malta is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

The Netherlands is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 41,542 km, and population number 16,900,726, as per 2015. The Dutch comprise 3.3% of the total EU population. Its capital is Amsterdam and the official language is Dutch. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 678,572 billion, as per 2015. Netherlands currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is aparliamentary constitutional monarchy.

The Netherlands holds 26 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1960 and 2016. The Netherlands is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Poland is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 612,679 km, and population number 38,005,614, as per 2015. The Polish comprise 7.5% of the total EU population. Its capital is Warsaw and the official language is Polish. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 427.737 billion, as per 2015. Polands currency is the Polish Zloty (PLN). The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Poland holds 51 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2011. Poland is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Portugal is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1986 with its geographic size of 92,226 km, and population number 10,374,822, as per 2015. The Portuguese comprise 2% of the total EU population. Its capital is Lisbon and the official language is Portuguese. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 179.379 billion, as per 2015. Portugals currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is asemi-presidential republic.

Portugal holds 21 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 3 times between 1992 and 2007. Portugal is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Romania is a member country of the EU since January 1, 2007 with its geographic size of 238,391 km, and population number 19,870,647, as per 2015.The Romanians comprise 3.9% of the total EU population. Its capital is Bucharest and the official language is Romanian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 160.353 billion, as per 2015. Romanias currency is Romanian Leu (RON). The political system is asemi-presidential republic.

Romania holds 32 seats in the European Parliament and will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2019. Romania is not a member country of the Schengen Area.

Slovakia is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 49,035 km, and population number 5,421,349, as per 2015. Slovaks comprise 2.2% of the total EU population. Its capital is Bratislava and the official language is Slovak. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 78.071 billion, as per 2015. Slovakias currency is (Euro) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2009. The political system in Slovakia is aparliamentary republic.

Slovakia holds 13 seats in the European Parliament and is currently holding the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time. Slovakia is also a member state of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Slovenia is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 20,273 km, and population number 2,062,874, as per 2015. The Slovenians comprise 0.4% of the total EU population. Its capital is Ljubljana and the official language is Slovenian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 38.543 billion, as per 2015. Slovenias currency is Euro () since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2007. The political system is aparliamentary republic.

Slovenia holds 8 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2008. Slovenia is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Spain is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1986. Its geographical size is 505,944 km, while the population number in 2015 was 46,449,565. The Spanish comprise 9.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Madrid. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 1.081trillion. The official language in Spain is Spanish. The political system is aparliamentary constitutional monarchy. Spain holds 54 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 4 times between 1989 and 2010. Spains currency is Euro () and became a member of the Eurozone since January 1, 1999. Spain is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Sweden is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1995 with its geographic size of 438,574 km, and population number 9,747,355, as per 2015. The Swedes comprise 1.9% of the total EU population. Its capital is Stockholm and the official language is Swedish. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 444.235 billion, as per 2015. Swedens currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK). The political system is aparliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Sweden holds 20 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice, in 2001 and 2009. Sweden is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 25, 2001.

The United Kingdom is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1973 with its geographic size of 248,528 km, and population number 64,875,165, as per 2015. The English comprise 12.8% of the total EU population. Its capital is London and the official language is English. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 2.569 trillion, as per 2015. The United Kingdoms currency is the Pound Sterling (GBP). The political system is aparliamentary constitutional monarchy.

The United Kingdom holds 73 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 5 times between 1997 and 2005. The United Kingdom is not a member country of the Schengen Area.

Candidate countries on the road to EU membership:

Potential candidates to become EU member states:

The continental territories of the member states of the European Union (European Communities pre-1993), animated in order of accession. (Wikipedia)

The European Unions aim back in the days was to end the frequent bloody wars between neighbour states that have culminated in the Second World War.

In 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community began the uniting of European countries economically and politically to gain a lasting peace. In 1957, the Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) or the Common Market.

This brought a good period for the economy, as the EU countries stopped charging customs duties when trading with each other.

In 1973, Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom formally decided to join the European Union, becoming nine member states altogether.

Later, in 1986 the Single European Act was signed, which also created the Single Market.

In 1993, the Single Market is completed with the four freedoms:

The 1990s are also a decade of treaties: the Maastricht Treaty on the European Union in 1993 and the treaty of Amsterdam in 1999.

In 1995, the EU gets further enlarged with three more members joining: Austria, Finland, and Sweden.

During the 1990s, a small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the Schengen agreements that would gradually allow people to travel without having their passports checked at the borders within the area.

In the 2000s, the euro becomes the new currency for many Europeans, and during the following decade, more countries adopt the euro ().

The political divisions, during the 2000s, between the east and west Europe finally heal and 10 more new countries join the EU in 2004, followed by Bulgaria and Romania joining in 2007.

In 2008, a financial crisis hits the global economy. Therefore, the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force in 2009, providing the EU with modern institutions and more efficient working methods.

In 2013, Croatia becomes the 28th member to enter the EU.

Presently the increase of religious extremism in the Middle East, as well as in various other countries and regions around the world, lead to wars and turmoil, which resulted in many people fleeing their home countries and seeking refuge in Europe. The EU now finds itself as the target of several terrorist attacks, while being faced with the dilemma of how to take care of the refugees.

The European Union (EU) consists of 28 member states.

As of 1 January 2016, the population of the EU is about 510.1 million people.

No. Ukraine is not a member of the EU.

Yes. Hungary is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004.

EU countries and Schengen countries are both European countries.

EU countries are those European countries which are a part of the European Union and have signed the treaties of the European Union. EU countries have to maintain their own national military and foreign policies, but are bound to judicial and legislative institutions of the EU.

Schengen countries are those European countries which have signed the Schengen Agreement. These countries operate as a single state with no border controls required when traveling within the countries, but have the same international border control rules.

While the EFTA stands for an association of ten Fair Trade importers in nine European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom), the EU is a group of mostly European countries, (28 to be exact) that participates in the world economy as one economic unit and operates under one official currency, the euro.

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The Member States of the European Union - List of ...

President Donald Trump called the European Union a "foe" of the United States in an interview that aired Sunday.

When "CBS Evening News" anchor Jeff Glor asked Trump who is his "biggest foe globally right now", Trump named the European Union, members of which are some of America's oldest and closest global allies.

"I think we have a lot of foes," Trump said. "I think the European Union is a foe, what they do to us in trade. Now, you wouldn't think of the European Union, but they're a foe."

Trump has made comments in the past about the European Union and continued to name Russia and China as opponents in particular arenas of national activity.

His latest statements come days after the special counsel indicted 12 Russian intelligence agents for interference in the 2016 US presidential election. Naming the Kremlin in his list, Trump said, "Russia's a foe in certain respects."

"China is a foe economically, certainly they are a foe," he told CBS. "But that doesn't mean they are bad. It doesn't mean anything. It means that they are competitive. They want to do well and we want to do well."

A trade war between China and the US escalated last week after China imposed retaliatory tariffs on $34 billion of mostly US agricultural products.

European Council President Donald Tusk hit back at the "foe" comments on Twitter, calling any mischaracterization of the US and EU's close relationship "fake news", a phrase Trump uses often.

As for the EU, Trump doubled down on his calls for NATO members to contribute more money.

"I respect the leaders of those countries," he told CBS. "But, in a trade sense, they've really taken advantage of us and many of those countries are in NATO and they weren't paying their bills."

Trump recently took aim at NATO on Twitter before saying last week in a meeting with other NATO leaders that Moscow controlled Berlin because of an energy pipeline project.

"They're going to be paying Russia billions and billions of dollars a year for energy, and I say that's not good, that's not fair," Trump told CBS. "You're supposed to be fighting for someone and then that someone gives billions of dollars to the one you're, you know, guarding against. I think it's ridiculous."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel pushed back on his comments after the summit, telling reporters she had "experienced myself how a part of Germany was controlled by the Soviet Union" while growing up in communist East Germany, and said her country made "independent" policies and decisions.

Trump is meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on Monday.

Original post:
Trump calls the European Union, Russia, and China 'foes ...

Coming off a contentious NATO summit and a trip to the U.K. in which he seemed to undercut the government of America's closest ally, President Trump took aim at another Western institution just days before his high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In an interview with "CBS Evening News" anchor Jeff Glor in Scotland on Saturday, President Trump named the European Union -- comprising some of America's oldest allies -- when asked to identify his "biggest foe globally right now."

"Well, I think we have a lot of foes. I think the European Union is a foe, what they do to us in trade. Now, you wouldn't think of the European Union, but they're a foe. Russia is foe in certain respects. China is a foe economically, certainly they are a foe. But that doesn't mean they are bad. It doesn't mean anything. It means that they are competitive," Mr. Trump said at his golf club in Turnberry, Scotland.

"I respect the leaders of those countries. But, in a trade sense, they've really taken advantage of us and many of those countries are in NATO and they weren't paying their bills," he added.

More from Jeff Glor's Interview with President Trump:

On Sunday, British Prime Minister Theresa May told the BBC that Mr. Trump had encouraged her to "sue the EU" rather than negotiate over the U.K.'s departure from the bloc. May's conservative government is deeply split over her handling of Brexit, and her hold on power was further weakened by Mr. Trump's comments to a British tabloid that her approach had likely "killed" any chance of a new trade deal with the U.S. once Brexit is complete. (Mr. Trump tried to walk back his criticism in a joint press conference on Friday.)

At the summit of NATO allies in Brussels last week, Mr. Trump took a hard line toward member nations for failing to meet targeted defense spending goals. He claimed his tough stance had paid off in getting allies to spend more on defense, telling reporters on Thursday that members had "upped their commitments and I am very happy."

The president kicked off the NATO summit by blasting Germany as "totally controlled" and "captive by Russia" over a natural gas pipeline project, known as the Nord Stream 2. The U.S. fears the deal could give Moscow greater leverage over Western Europe. In Saturday's interview, the president reiterated the criticisms he made in Brussels.

"Germany made a pipeline deal with Russia. Where they're going to be paying Russia billions and billions of dollars a year for energy, and I say that's not good, that's not fair. You're supposed to be fighting for someone and then that someone gives billions of dollars to the one you're, you know, guarding against. I think it's ridiculous, so I let that be known also this time," Mr. Trump told Glor. "I'll tell you what, there's a lot of anger at the fact that Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars. There's a lot of anger. I also think it's a very bad thing for Germany. Because it's like, what, are they waving a white flag?"

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who grew up in communist East Germany, told reporters after the president's comments in Brussels that she had "experienced myself how a part of Germany was controlled by the Soviet Union" and said her country today made "independent policies" and "independent decisions.

In the CBS News interview, Mr. Trump also continued to criticize the special counsel's Russia investigation, saying it is having an impact on America's standing in the world. "I think we're greatly hampered by this whole witch hunt that's going on in the United States," the president said. "I think it hurts our relationship with Russia. I actually think it hurts our relationship with a lot of countries. I think it's a disgrace what's going on."

Mr. Trump heads to Helsinki on Sunday ahead of hismeeting with Putinon Monday. He told Glor he has "low expectations" for the summit. "Nothing bad is going to come out of it, and maybe some good will come out," he said.

The following is a transcript of the portion of the interview that aired on "Face the Nation." More of the interview will air Monday on "CBS This Morning," between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and on "CBS Evening News with Jeff Glor" Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning and welcome to "Face the Nation." President Trump is still in Europe, he's heading next to Helsinki, Finland, for tomorrow's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Yesterday, he spent some time with "CBS Evening News" Anchor Jeff Glor at the President's golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland.

JEFF GLOR: I saw the conversation you had with Jens Stoltenberg which is a very direct conversation, as- as you approach the meetings with Vladimir Putin coming up. Do you expect a similar tone?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: I don't expect anything. I frankly don't expect -- I go in with very low expectations. I think that getting along with Russia is a good thing. But it's possible we won't. I think we're greatly hampered by this whole witch hunt that's going on in the United States. The Russian witch hunt. The -- the rigged situation. I watch some of the testimony, even though I'm in Europe, of Strzok. And I thought it was a disgrace to our country. I thought it was an absolute disgrace. Where he wants to do things against me before I was even, I guess before I was even the candidate. It was a disgrace. And then he lied about it. And you know, talking about shutting it down and 'we, we.' And he says 'oh I meant the American people' all of a sudden you know, he came up with excuses. I guess given to a lawyer, but everybody laughed at it. He was a disgrace to our country. He was a disgrace to the FBI. So when I look at things like that and he led that investigation or whatever you call it. I would say that yeah, I think it hurts our relationship with Russia. I actually think it hurts our relationship with a lot of countries. I think it's a disgrace what's going on. And then you look how, you know, partisan it is. You look at what's going on where -- and they know, they know that there's no way he can get away from those horrible texts that he wrote. So the other side does. But it's a very partisan thing.

JEFF GLOR: The Russians who were indicted, would you ask Putin to- to send them here?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well I might. I hadn't thought of that. But I certainly, I'll be asking about it. But again, this was during the Obama administration. They were doing whatever it was during the Obama administration. And I heard that they were trying, or people were trying, to hack into the RNC too. The Republican National Committee. But we had much better defenses. I've been told that by a number of people. We had much better defenses, so they couldn't. I think the DNC should be ashamed of themselves for allowing themselves to be hacked. They had bad defenses and they were able to be hacked. But I heard they were trying to hack the Republicans too. But, and this may be wrong, but they had much stronger defenses.

JEFF GLOR: Who is your biggest competitor? Your biggest foe globally right now?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well I think we have a lot of foes. I think the European Union is a foe, what they do to us in trade. Now you wouldn't think of the European Union but they're a foe. Russia is foe in certain respects. China is a foe economically, certainly they are a foe. But that doesn't mean they are bad. It doesn't mean anything. It means that they are competitive. They want to do well and we want to do well. And we're starting to do well. You see what's going on we have best unemployment numbers probably that we've ever had. Black unemployment is the lowest level in history. Hispanic unemployment the lowest level in history, Jeff. Women unemployment lowest in 66 years. Our numbers are great. Our GDP numbers are far greater than what they thought.

JEFF GLOR: A lot of people might be surprised to hear you list the EU as a foe before China and Russia?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No I look at them all look, EU is very difficult. I-I want to tell you. Maybe the thing that is most difficult -- don't forget both my parents were born in EU sectors okay? I mean my mother was Scotland, my father was Germany. And -- you know I love those countries. I respect the leaders of those countries. But -- in a trade sense, they've really taken advantage of us and many of those countries are in NATO and they weren't paying their bills and, you know, as an example a big problem with Germany. Because Germany made a pipeline deal with Russia. Where they're going to be paying Russia billions and billions of dollars a year for energy and I say that's not good, that's not fair. You're supposed to be fighting for someone and then that someone gives billions of dollars to the one you're, you know, guarding against, I think it's ridiculous so I let that be known also this time. I'll tell you what, there's a lot of anger at the fact that Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars. There's a lot of anger. I also think it's a very bad thing for Germany. Because it's like -- what are they waving a white flag?

MARGARET BRENNAN: More of Jeff's interview with President Trump in Scotland will air tomorrow on "CBS This Morning" and later on the "CBS Evening News," as well as our digital network, CBSN.

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Trump: "I think the European Union is a foe" in interview ...

President Donald Trump brought the world's two biggest economies to the brink of a trade war Friday by announcing a 25 percent tariff on up to $50 billion in Chinese imports to take effect July 6. Here's how it could affect the U.S. economy and consumers. (June 15) AP

A worker uses a paddle to move cranberries floating in a bog during harvesting on a farm in Ilwaco, Wash. The European Union will start taxing on Friday a range of imports from the U.S., including quintessentially American goods like Harley-Davidson bikes and cranberries, in response to President Donald Trump's decision to slap tariffs on European steel and aluminum.(Photo: Ted S. Warren, AP)

Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the expected price increase for a bottle of Jack Daniel's.

Imagine you're riding an American motorcycle on your way to play cards and drink whiskey with your friends.

For Europeans, that's about to be amore expensive proposition and for American companies, it could translate into lower sales and profits.

The European Union on Friday began imposing tariffs on about $3.4 billion of U.S. products, ranging from industrial goods to consumer items and agricultural products.

The move camein response toPresident Donald Trump's recent tariffs on imported steel and aluminum 25 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Trump administration has accused Europe of unfair trade practices and called for lower tariffs. European critics have accused Trump of violating international trade rules.

The trade spat is expected to affect the prices paid by European consumers and companies for everything ranging from certain alcoholic drinks to makeup.

Affected products range widely and include orange juice, yachts, kidney beans, cranberries, cigarettes, shorts, garden umbrellas,upholstered seats andilluminated sign parts.

More: Here are the top 10 most American-made vehicles: Jeep, Ford, Honda top Cars.com list

More: Trump's European car tariff threat could crunch German automakers

More: European Union tariffs on Harleys, peanut butter and other US goods begins Friday

More: Tariff winners and losers: How Trump's trade spat could affect shoppers

More: 5 ways U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum could affect American consumers

Trump isn't backing down. On Friday, he escalated the trade dispute, threatening a 20 percent tariff on cars imported from Europe, which could cost German automakers BMW, Volkswagen and Daimler more than $5.2 billion, according to Evercore ISI analyst Arndt Ellinghorst.

Will companies pass the extra costs along to consumers or absorb the blow and thus lose profits? That remains to be seen.

Here are several key products to watch:

Whiskey makers: American companies shipped $737 million inbourbonwhiskeyto European customers in the 12 months ended March 31, according toPanjiva S&P.

Tennessees distilled spirits industry is bracing for a big hit during the usually lucrative summer season.

The hike would add about 10 percent to the cost of Lynchburg-distilled Jack Daniel's in European countries, according to the company.

Unhappy whiskey customers in London will hurt Tennessee coffers, as decreased sales reduce local tax income and threaten jobs, said Kris Tatum, president of the Tennessee Distillers Guild.

Fifty-five percent of U.S. distilled spirits are produced in Tennessee. Much of that comes from locally made, internationally traded brands Jack Daniels, George Dickel, Ole Smoky, and Corsair.

That (increase) being passed directly to the consumer will hurt revenue, Tatum said. If it decreases revenue there, that hurts our state directly. We dont want anything thats going to stifle their growth or their revenue. Its not good for the industry as a whole, especially during peak season. This is not something we want to see.

Nationwide, there are 1.5 million employees of the distilled spirits industry, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.

"We urge the EU and the U.S. to re-engage as soon as possible to resolve the current situation and prevent needless further escalation," the Council said Friday in a statement.

Farmers and food makers: The U.S. exported nearly $13 billion in agricultural goods to the EU in 2017, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Cranberries, orange juice and peanut butter are among the key products that will be hit with increased tariffs in Europe.

The Massachusetts-based Cranberry Marketing Committee noted that Canadian cranberry farmers would have an edge on Americans because of their duty-free agreement with Europe.

The Farm Bureau believes in negotiations, not additional tariffs, to resolve trade issues," the Farm Bureau told U.S. Senate and House committees in recent statements. "American farmers and ranchers rely heavily on export markets for their business success, especially at this time of reduced farm income. Agriculture needs a growing trade, not a reduced and burdened trade."

Motorcycles: Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson is at risk as the EU imposes a 25 percent tariff on motorcycles.

That's bad news for a company that isalready reeling from sluggish interest in motorcycles among millennials. And Harley is also facing increased costs from Trump's increased steel and aluminum tariffs.

"We support free and fair trade and hope for a quick resolution to this issue," Harley said in a recent statement. "We believe import tariffs on steel and aluminum will drive up costs for all products made with these raw materials, regardless of their origin."

Makeup companies: The Personal Care Products Council, which represents global cosmetic companies, has expressed opposition to escalated tariffs.

Eye makeup is particularly at risk, according to Panjiva S&P. U.S. exports of eye make-up to Europe totaled $236 million in the 12 months ended in March.

Cosmetics and personal care products companies rely heavily on open markets," the Personal Care Products Council said last week in a statement. "Vibrant international trade is critical to the strength of our industry and enhances our ability to expand manufacturing and employment, and to create the innovative products that consumers around the world trust and enjoy."

Contributing: Benjamin Goad of the Tennessean; the Associated Press.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.

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The U.S. has been rocked over the last two years by claims that the Russian government directly attempted to meddle in the 2016 presidential election.

Social media companies initially claimed such efforts must have been limited in scope. But this notion was refuted by the recent indictment of 13 Russian nationals for their actions during the election.

The indictment, brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, revealed a highly organized and sophisticated effort to drive a wedge between Americans through social media.

The recent revelations about Cambridge Analyticas potentially illegal harvest of Facebook user information raise further questions about how much American citizens have been manipulated via social media.

Such efforts may be relatively new in the U.S. But they are part of a much larger global push by the Kremlin to affect politics across the European Union and exploit citizens through the internet.

I study computer hacking, malware and the role of the internet in fraud and deception by various actors. And I believe that the Europeans have something to teach the United States about how to protect citizens subject to Russian internet propaganda.

The Russians have keenly recognized that they could subvert the modern dependence on social media as a seemingly trustworthy platform for news and information. They have used Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and websites as tools to launch overt and covert information warfare campaigns against various nations.

The internet is a critical tool for spreading false information or disinformation in the parlance of information warfare to either manipulate or demoralize a nation and its people. Since most people now find news stories online, whether through traditional news media or on social media, governments can engage in campaigns of disinformation on the internet.

The Internet Research Agency is one of the primary arms of the Russian governments propaganda efforts. It operates a troll factory out of St. Petersburg where individuals create and spread false information. The false information is spread through social media posts, comments in news stories and videos posted on traditional journalistic outlets. Its also spread via websites the trolls create.

The Internet Research Agency also operates covertly through false online profiles. In some cases, they create entirely false profiles. In others, they have stolen identities in an attempt to seem like a citizen of a specific place and a true believer in a specific ideology.

These efforts seek to turn average people against their governments or against their fellow citizens and sow mistrust and discontent.

The European Union has been targeted with propaganda efforts by the Internet Research Agency for the last decade, as part of a campaign to destabilize European politics and increase Russian power within the region.

There have been repeated attempts to influence the views of Finnish and German voters. The Internet Research Agency has also attempted to whitewash and legitimize the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.

The current campaign being waged against the U.S. is serious. I believe it merits a response from a trusted source.

Though there are fact-checking websites in the U.S. like Snopes, a threat of this magnitude requires more than just citizen-run or private organization-operated programs.

A government effort to combat fake news would provide citizens with information about the scope of information warfare. It would also create a clearinghouse about fake news that can inform not only the public, but also government agencies and policy-makers. There is no current effort of this sort in the United States.

The EU created a specialized task force in March 2015 to identify the Russian campaigns strategies and expose them to the public. The East StratCom Task Force was formed by the European Council to provide information to the European Union and its member states on the extent of Russian disinformation campaigns.

The task force publishes two weekly newsletters. The Disinformation Review is published every Tuesday to show the latest examples and trends in Russian trolling. Theres also a Disinformation Review Facebook page and Twitter account that has 35,000 followers.

The Disinformation Digest is released every Friday. It features what the pro-government media outlets in Russia are saying and compares that to independent media voices. It also presents trends in Russian social media feeds.

In addition, the task force publishes analyses and reports about specific stories that have begun to trend on social media. Those reports appear as close as possible to the time the stories appear. They help illustrate how hashtagging and trending stories may be falsified and why they can both directly and indirectly benefit the Kremlin.

For instance, they have published analyses of the manipulation of trending stories on the Salisbury poisoning. Thats the incident in which a former Russian spy who was living in England, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter, Yulia, were poisoned by a nerve agent. British Prime Minister Theresa May has accused the Russians of the attack. The task force highlighted Russian disinformation about the incident, including stories that claimed that the West (was) using it to destroy Russias reputation as a peacemaker.

Lastly, they provide briefings to law enforcement agencies across the EU, as well as lawmakers and the general public. This helps to make the role of Russian propaganda a real, tangible problem that can be understood by anyone.

In fact, the U.S. government is already taking steps abroad to combat Russian messaging via a new service operating via Polygraph.info.

The site acts as a counterpart to the European task force, though it is not currently directed to U.S. audiences. Instead it operates via the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, which serves international audiences. It seems plausible that the U.S. government could adapt this tool to directly service U.S. citizens, which could be a tremendous step forward to counter Russian messaging.

The suggestion that the U.S. engage in efforts to formally counter disinformation campaigns from Russia and elsewhere was recently made in a report by Brookings Institution scholar Alina Polyakova and former State Department official Daniel Fried.

It may seem odd to propose that the government run its own campaign to clarify what is real and fake online. But I believe it is necessary in an era where individuals may not be able to fully separate fact from fiction, and legitimate news sources from the disreputable. An effort like this is not government censorship of the news or even of fake news. It is government fighting false information by providing context, analysis and facts.

These EU newsletters provide a way to fact-check stories initially released by social media accounts with no apparent journalistic credentials. Further, their reporting communicates practical insights as to how propaganda campaign messaging fits into broader stories being pushed by the Kremlin that in some way benefit Russia.

Creating similar resources within a government organization like the Department of Homeland Security could go a long way to helping the general public separate truth from reality and become more informed of the real threat America faces from the insidious and manipulative practices of information warfare.

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Busting Russia's fake news the European Union way