Trump demands tariffs of 15-20% on all goods from EU — FT
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has strengthened his demands in negotiations with the European Union regarding the trade agreement. The head of the White House insists on a minimum tariff of 15 to 20% on all goods from the EU, Financial Times reports.
According to the media outlet, Trump’s position on raising the minimum tariff from the current 10% aims to test the EU’s tolerance limit after weeks of negotiations on the trade agreement.
According to Financial Times sources, the US president also rejected the EU’s latest proposal to lower tariffs on cars and is ready to keep them at 25%, as originally planned.
An American official stated that the Trump administration is currently considering the option of reciprocal tariffs with the EU that exceed 10%, even if an agreement is reached.
This means that US tariffs on European goods will be at least as high as they were at the start of the trade negotiations in April.
EU diplomats told the Financial Times that Brussels is preparing countermeasures. These include tariffs on American imports worth €21 billion, including chicken and jeans, set to take effect on August 6, as well as tariffs on American imports worth €72 billion, including Boeing planes and bourbon.
At the same time, the European Commission is preparing a third list of measures concerning the US services sector, including taxes on digital services of American companies and revenue from internet advertising.
Trade agreement between the US and the EU
On July 4, US President Donald Trump stated that his country might impose unilateral tariffs starting July 10 against those countries that have not concluded a trade agreement.
This specifically includes the European Union, which has not been able to reach an agreement with Washington.
Recently, Bloomberg reported that the trade deal between the US and the EU is on the verge of collapse, particularly due to tariffs on agricultural products and automobiles. According to the outlet, negotiations continued, but the outcome remained unpredictable.
Later, President Trump announced a 30% tariff against the EU and Mexico.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič stated that imposing 30% tariffs on European imports would effectively destroy transatlantic trade.
