Trump Announces 25% Tariff on EU Cars

Donald Trump has announced plans to raise tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union to 25%, marking a major escalation in trade tensions between Washington and Brussels.

In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump accused the EU of failing to honour what he described as a fully agreed trade deal, although he did not specify which commitments he believed had been violated.

“I am pleased to announce that… next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks,” Trump wrote.

The move directly targets one of Europe’s most economically important industries, with automotive manufacturing playing a central role in major economies such as Germany and France.

The tariff increase comes less than a year after the United States and the EU reached a major trade agreement during talks held at Trump’s Turnberry Golf Resort in Scotland. That agreement had set tariffs on most European goods at 15%, helping the EU avoid the broader 30% tariffs Trump had previously threatened under his wider “Liberation Day” tariff programme.

In return, the EU agreed to increase investment in the United States and make policy adjustments expected to support stronger American exports.

The agreement was later approved by the European Parliament in March, although lawmakers added a safeguard clause allowing the deal to be suspended if the Trump administration was found to be undermining its purpose, discriminating against EU businesses, threatening member states’ security interests, or engaging in economic coercion.

Since then, trade talks have slowed again, particularly over disputes involving steel and aluminium tariffs. Several major European governments, including Germany and France, had pushed back against U.S. proposals to revise tariff structures across a broader range of goods.

Responding to Trump’s latest announcement, the European Commission said the EU remained committed to fulfilling its obligations and maintaining a stable transatlantic trade relationship, while also seeking further clarification from Washington.

A spokesperson said the bloc was implementing the deal “in line with standard legislative practice, keeping the U.S. administration fully informed throughout.”

The Commission added: “We remain fully committed to a predictable, mutually beneficial transatlantic relationship. Should the U.S. take measures inconsistent with the Joint Statement, we will keep our options open to protect EU interests.”