The European Commission issued a stern demand on Sunday for the United States to adhere to the terms of last year’s EU-US trade agreement, following the US Supreme Court’s rejection of Donald Trump’s global tariff structure and his subsequent implementation of comprehensive new import levies.
Representing the 27 EU member states in trade policy negotiations, the Commission insisted that Washington must provide “complete clarity” regarding its intended course of action in response to the judicial decision. This development came after President Trump announced temporary across-the-board import tariffs of 10% on Friday, subsequently raising them to 15% the following day.
The Commission emphasized that the current situation undermines the realization of “fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial” transatlantic trade and investment, as mutually agreed upon in the joint statement outlining last year’s trade agreement terms. “An agreement is an agreement,” the Commission stated, employing notably sharper language compared to its initial response on Friday, which merely indicated monitoring of the Supreme Court outcome and ongoing communication with US authorities.
Last year’s trade agreement established a 15% US import tariff for most EU goods, excluding those falling under separate sector-specific tariffs such as steel. The pact also permitted zero tariffs for certain products including aircraft and spare parts. In return, the EU agreed to eliminate import duties on numerous American goods and retracted previous threats of retaliatory measures involving higher charges.
The European Commission specifically stressed that EU products must continue to benefit from the most competitive treatment without tariff increases beyond the previously agreed-upon comprehensive ceiling. The Commission warned that unpredictable tariff measures prove disruptive and undermine confidence in global markets.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič addressed the matter during discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Saturday, according to Commission reports.