U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to raise import tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25% next week, representing a new escalation in trade tensions between the U.S. and Europe.
On 1 May 2026 GMT+7, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to increase import tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25% next week. Trump accused the EU of not fully complying with the mutually agreed trade deal but did not specify which terms the EU had violated. His statement marks a new escalation of trade tensions between the U.S. and Europe.
The European Commission responded by stating that the EU continues to honor its obligations under the agreement and affirmed it will explore all options to protect Europe's interests.
This development occurs less than a year after the U.S. and EU reached a trade agreement at Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland, which set most European goods' tariffs at 15% and avoided the 30% tariff measures Trump had previously threatened under his trade policies.