EU won’t accept US tariff increase, ‘a deal is a deal’
The European Commission has demanded that the United States stick to the terms of the EU-US trade deal reached last year after the US Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump’s global tariffs and Trump responded with new taxes across the board.
The Commission, which negotiates trade policy on behalf of the 27 EU member states, said Washington must provide “full clarity” on the steps it plans to take following the court ruling.
After the court struck down Trump’s global tariffs on Friday, the US president temporarily announced blanket tariffs of 10 percent, which he increased to 15 percent a day later.
“The current situation is not conducive to achieving ‘fair, balanced and mutually beneficial’ transatlantic trade and investment, as agreed by both sides,” the commission said in a joint statement setting out the terms of last year’s trade deal.
“A deal is a deal.”
The comments were much more strongly worded than the Commission’s initial response on Friday; In this response, it was stated that only the results of the Supreme Court decision were examined and that they were in communication with the US administration.
Last year’s trade deal set a 15 percent U.S. tariff rate on most EU goods, except those covered by other sectoral tariffs such as steel. Additionally, zero tariffs were allowed on some products such as aircraft and spare parts. The EU agreed to lift import duties on many U.S. goods and withdrew its threat to retaliate with higher duties.
“In particular, EU products should continue to enjoy the most competitive treatment, without increases in tariffs beyond the previously agreed clear and all-inclusive ceiling,” the EU executive said, adding that unpredictable tariffs were disruptive and undermined confidence in global markets.
It was stated that EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic discussed the issue with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Trade Minister Howard Lutnick on Saturday.
Greer said Sunday that no country that has signed a trade agreement with the United States has indicated plans to withdraw following the Supreme Court decision.
“I haven’t heard anyone come to me yet and say the deal is off,” Greer told CBS News.
“They want to see how this plays out.”
