Trump Issues 4 July Ultimatum to EU Over Tariff Reduction Trade Deal
Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to the European Union (EU), stating that the bloc must remove its tariffs on US goods by 4 July, or face “much higher” US import duties. This declaration came after a telephone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Trump asserted that the EU had previously signed a “historic trade deal” with the United States, agreeing to reduce its tariffs. He then posted on social media, stating, “I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels.”
Conversely, von der Leyen indicated that the EU was making “good progress towards tariff reduction” ahead of Trump’s deadline. She affirmed on X, “We remain fully committed, on both sides, to its implementation.”
The initial trade agreement between von der Leyen and Trump was established in July of the previous year. However, its implementation has encountered obstacles, with recent discussions between EU lawmakers and member states failing to secure a consensus. Under the terms of the agreement, US tariffs on EU exports would incur a 15% charge, a figure Trump had previously threatened to increase to 30% for European goods.
The European Parliament granted conditional approval to the deal in March, with lawmakers supporting legislation for its enactment. This approval included safeguards to ensure the US upheld its commitments, specifically demanding that European steel and aluminium products be exempt from Trump’s global 50% tariff on those metals for zero tariffs on US goods to apply. The agreement also requires endorsement from the 27 EU member states.
Prior to Trump’s social media statement, Bernd Lange, the European Parliament’s chief negotiator, acknowledged progress in negotiations but noted “there is still some way to go.” Further talks are scheduled for 19 May in Strasbourg. Last week, Trump had already accused the EU of “not complying with our fully agreed to trade deal” on Truth Social, threatening a 25% tariff increase on trucks and cars.
