Trump postpones increase in tariffs on cars from the EU
US President Donald Trump has delayed the increase in tariffs on cars from the European Union (EU) until July 4.
Trump announced this following what he described as a "wonderful phone call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"I have patiently waited for the EU to fulfill its part of the historic trade agreement concluded in Turnberry, Scotland, the largest trade agreement in history! A promise was made that the EU would fulfill its part of the agreement and, as agreed, reduce its tariffs to zero! I agreed to give them time until the 250th anniversary of our country, otherwise, unfortunately, their tariffs will immediately jump to a much higher level," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
Von der Leyen also reported on a "very good phone call" with Trump. In particular, she stated that both the US and the EU "remain fully committed to implementing" the trade agreement concluded between the parties. "Good progress has been made towards reducing tariffs by the beginning of July," she noted.
On May 1, Trump announced an increase in customs duties on passenger and commercial vehicles imported from the EU to the US to 25%. "I am pleased to announce that, due to the EU's failure to comply with our fully agreed trade agreement, next week I will raise tariffs on passenger and commercial vehicles imported into the United States from the European Union. The tariff rate will be increased to 25%," the American leader noted.
In response, on May 5, von der Leyen also urged Trump to adhere to the trade agreement. "A deal is a deal," she stated, noting that the EU is "prepared for all scenarios."
This refers to the trade agreement concluded between the EU and the US in September 2025. It provides for a retroactive reduction of tariffs on European car exports from 27.5% to 15%. In turn, the EU committed to abolishing tariffs on all American industrial goods and opening its market to a wide range of American products, including seafood, dairy, pork, and soybean oil. It is unclear which specific points of the agreement Trump was referring to when accusing the EU of violations.
Source: DW
