The European Commission has urged the United States to adhere to the terms of the EU-U.S. trade agreement established last year, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate Donald Trump’s global tariffs. In response to the ruling, Trump has imposed new, broad-based levies.
Negotiating trade policy on behalf of the 27 EU member states, the Commission has called for the United States to provide “full clarity” regarding the actions it plans to implement in light of the court’s decision.
Subsequent to the Supreme Court’s nullification of Trump’s global tariffs on Friday, the U.S. President announced an initial 10% temporary tariff across the board, which he subsequently increased to 15% the following day.
The Commission stated, “The current situation is not conducive to delivering ‘fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial’ transatlantic trade and investment, as agreed to by both sides” in the joint statement outlining last year’s trade agreement. The Commission emphasized, “A deal is a deal.”
This statement marked a significant shift in tone from the Commission’s initial response on Friday, which merely indicated that it was reviewing the Supreme Court’s decision and maintaining communication with the U.S. administration.
The trade agreement from the previous year set a 15% U.S. tariff rate for most EU goods, excluding those already subject to other sectoral tariffs such as on steel. It also allowed for zero tariffs on specific products, including aircraft and spare parts. The EU, in turn, agreed to eliminate import duties on numerous U.S. goods and retracted a threat to impose higher levies in retaliation.
The EU executive stressed, “In particular, EU products must continue to benefit from the most competitive treatment, with no increases in tariffs beyond the clear and all-inclusive ceiling previously agreed,” adding that unpredictable tariffs are disruptive and erode confidence in global markets.
Furthermore, it was noted that EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic discussed the matter with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Saturday.
