US Politics
Trump warns tariffs will jump if EU does not fulfil trade deal by new deadline
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Donald Trump warned the European Union has until 4 July to fulfil its side of last year’s trade deal or its goods will face higher tariffs.
The EU and US agreed a deal at Mr Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland last year, setting levies on most European goods at 15 per cent.
Both sides had previously reaffirmed their commitment to the trade framework, known as the Turnberry Agreement.
However, the US president on Friday threatened to increase tariffs on EU cars and trucks to 25 per cent, claiming Europe was not complying with the terms of the deal struck last July.
Mr Trump on Thursday said on Truth Social that he had a “great call” with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen but added that he would give the EU until 4 July to fulfil its side of the trade deal before hiking tariffs to much higher levels.
He wrote: “I’ve been waiting patiently for the EU to fulfill their side of the Historic Trade Deal we agreed in Turnberry, Scotland, the largest Trade Deal, ever!
“A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO! I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The 2025 agreement was in jeopardy earlier this year when the Supreme Court ruled that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency and impose tariffs on EU goods.
This ruling saw the initial 15 per cent tariff ceiling reduced to 10, as the Trump administration sought to implement new import taxes under different legal provisions.
Mr Trump and Ms von der Leyen also discussed Iran, the US president said, as he claimed they agreed that Tehran can never have a nuclear weapon.
