Trump warns tariffs will jump if EU does not fulfil trade deal by new deadline

EuroActiv

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.

Now, the US president has written on Truth Social that he had a “great call” with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on ⁠Thursday but said 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.”

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