Donald Trump announced on Wednesday the appointment of Andrew Puzder, former CEO of the fast-food chains Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., as the new U.S. ambassador to the European Union.

“Andy is a successful lawyer, entrepreneur, economic commentator, and author,” said the new U.S. president via Truth Social.

“In 2000, he was named CEO of CKE Restaurants Inc., the parent company of the international restaurant chains Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. During his 17 years as president and CEO, Andy pulled the company out of significant financial difficulties, enabling its survival,” Trump added.

Donald Trump is well-known for his less-than-positive view of the EU, and as soon as he assumed office, he declared a new trade war between Washington and Brussels.

“The EU Treats Us Very Badly”

The European Union “is very bad towards us. They treat us very poorly. They don’t import our cars or our agricultural products. In fact, they don’t buy anything significant” from the U.S., the Republican president stated recently. He also added that the EU member states should, therefore, expect “tariffs” to be imposed by his administration.

During his presidential campaign, Trump frequently criticized the U.S. trade deficit with the EU, likening the bloc of 27 nations to a “small China” that “takes advantage of” the world’s largest economy.

Puzder’s Background and Controversies

In 2017, early in Donald Trump’s first term, Andrew Puzder had been nominated as Secretary of Labor. However, he was forced to withdraw before even taking office due to various controversies.

He admitted, for instance, to employing an undocumented immigrant as a housekeeper for years and paying her under the table. Additionally, his former wife had accused him of domestic violence, though she later retracted the allegation.

During his legal career in Missouri, Andrew Puzder became a prominent figure in the anti-abortion rights movement.

His appointment as U.S. ambassador to the EU is subject to Senate confirmation.