Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeHow fast population growth made Arizona a swing state Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden MORE (R-Ariz.) on Sunday pushed back against President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's claim that the European Union (EU) is "possibly as bad" as China with its trade policies toward the U.S.

"This is so wrong, Mr. President. When we confront China on unfair trade practices, we need our allies, especially those in the EU, with us, not against us," Flake tweeted.

This is so wrong, Mr. President. When we confront China on unfair trade practices, we need our allies, especially those in the EU, with us, not against us. https://t.co/TJn9rirc2T — Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) July 1, 2018

Flake was reacting to Trump's claim during an interview that aired on Fox News's "Sunday Morning Futures." Host Maria Bartiromo questioned if the U.S. would be better off teaming up with its European allies to address China's unfair trade practices.

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“The European Union is possibly as bad as China, just smaller. It’s terrible what they do to us,” Trump said.

“I love those countries, Germany, and all of the countries. Scotland. ... But they treat us very badly. They treat us very unfairly,” he added.

The president has attracted widespread criticism from Republicans, Democrats and international leaders over his decision to enact steep tariffs on imports of steel, aluminum and other products from the European Union, Canada, Mexico and other countries.

The Trump administration's policy has prompted other nations to implement retaliatory tariffs, raising concerns of a global trade war.

Flake has been among the most vocal Republican critics of the president, particularly on trade.

Flake has used his position on the Senate Judiciary Committee to try and force a vote on legislation that would rein in some of Trump's authority on tariffs.

"Until I get a vote on tariffs, until we get a Senate vote on tariffs, I won’t vote for circuit court nominees," Flake said this week.