Trump refuses to set EU tariff below 15%
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has stated that he does not plan to impose tariffs on the European Union lower than 15% during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In particular, journalists asked Trump whether he could offer the EU a better tariff rate than 15%. His response was:
"Better meaning lower? No," said the US President.
Trump's tariffs against EU
Trump gave the EU time until August 1, 2025, to reach a trade agreement with the United States. If no deal is reached by then, he has threatened to impose a 30% base tariff on EU goods imported into the US.
Today, Reuters reported that, ahead of the Trump–von der Leyen meeting, US and EU teams were holding final negotiations on tariffs.
EU diplomats also stated that the agreement would include a 15% base tariff on goods from the European Union, reflecting the trade deal between the US and Japan.
At the same time, the agreement is expected to include a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminum, which may also be subject to export quotas.
EU officials remain hopeful that the 15% base tariff will apply, in particular, to passenger cars, replacing the current 27.5% duty.
