Trump gives EU until 4 July to ratify trade deal or face ‘much higher’ tariffs | Trump tariffs
Donald Trump said the EU must approve a trade deal with the US by July 4 or face “much higher” tariffs after European officials failed to agree on the deal.
Trump said he spoke with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen about the issue and shared on the Truth Social platform that “she agreed to give time until our country’s 250th Birthday, otherwise unfortunately the Tariffs will immediately jump to much higher levels.”
This year’s Fourth of July holiday marks 250 years since the American colonies declared their independence from British rule.
Von der Leyen said on Thursday that the bloc had made “good progress” in ratifying the deal in early July.
“We are fully committed to its implementation on both sides,” he added to X.
The 27-member EU bloc and the United States reached a deal last July that imposed 15% tariffs on most European products.
But Trump was unhappy with the speed at which it was implemented.
The situation became even more complicated after the US supreme court ruled in February that Trump had overstepped his authority to impose broad tariffs, including on the EU.
The Trump administration has since imposed a temporary 10% tax, while his administration is exploring more permanent ways to rebuild its trade agenda.
However, the court decision did not affect sector-specific tariffs on cars, which were reduced to 15% under the EU agreement.
While the deal is still waiting to be signed by EU member states, Trump last week promised to increase tariffs on EU cars and trucks to 25% and accused the bloc of failing to fulfill its end of the bargain.
Cyprus, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, said it wanted to continue the “positive momentum” in talks with members of the European Parliament on 19 May.
“I have been patiently waiting for the EU to fulfill its part of the Historic Trade Agreement we agreed in Turnberry, Scotland, the biggest ever Trade Deal!” Trump shared a post on Truth Social.
“A promise was made that the EU would fulfill its part of the Agreement and reduce its Tariffs to ZERO as per the Agreement!”
In late March, EU lawmakers gave the green light to a tariff deal with Trump but also demanded additional safeguards.
Despite the European Parliament’s conditional approval, the agreement must be negotiated with EU countries before it can be implemented by the bloc.
