“I am pleased to announce that due to the European Union's failure to fully comply with the agreed trade agreement, next week I will increase tariffs on the European Union on cars and trucks entering the United States. The tariff will be increased to 25 percent.” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Customs duties on European cars and car parts are currently 15%. — is the result of the Turnberry Agreement concluded between the EU and the US in July last year. It required the EU to reduce tariffs on American industrial goods and purchase energy from the USA worth USD 750 billion. (PLN 2.7 trillion) and investing USD 600 billion. (PLN 2.2 trillion) in the USA. In return, Donald Trump agreed to reduce tariffs imposed on a number of EU countries.
Donald Trump issued the threat to increase tariffs a week after Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, went to Washington to meet with representatives of the Trump administration. He returned with assurances that the agreement between the countries remained stable.
— Ambassador [Jamieson] Greer [reprezentant do spraw Handlu Stanów Zjednoczonych] and all my interlocutors assured me that this agreement is a contract for both parties. And for us, the implementation and fulfillment of the terms of the agreement and all the provisions contained in it are of absolutely fundamental importance, he said.
Misunderstandings
This statement was made despite continuing trade tensions between the partners. The EU is irritated by how many products are burdened by US tariffs on steel and aluminum. The United States, in turn, is frustrated by the slow pace of implementation by the European Union of the agreement concluded at the end of July.
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Although the European Parliament passed legislation in March that reduces tariffs on US goods, the European Union still needs to negotiate an agreement with the capitals of member states and the European Commission.
— President Trump's behavior is unacceptable. We in the EU, in the European Parliament, keep up [warunków] agreement with Scotland. We are currently preparing a bill, we have a position in parliament and we intend to finalize it in June. However, the United States has repeatedly violated the agreement, for example on more than 400 products containing steel and aluminum, which are currently subject to an average tariff of 26%. – said Bernd Lange, German Social Democrat and chairman of the International Trade Committee in the European Parliament.
— This latest move shows how unreliable the American side is. We have already witnessed these arbitrary attacks by the US in the case of Greenland. This is not how you treat close partners. “Now we can only respond with the utmost clarity and decisiveness, based on the strength of our position,” he added.
US tariffs on EU cars and car parts were imposed under Section 232, which targets specific industries. These powers were unaffected by the Supreme Court's February ruling repealing some of Trump's tariffs, giving the administration wide latitude to quickly raise tariffs in this sector.
Car tariffs played a significant role in prompting the EU to enter into negotiations with Trump last summer. They put a lot of pressure on Germany's important automotive industry, including its main brands such as Volkswagen, BMW and Audi.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
