Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free
Your guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the world
The US has threatened to impose 17% tariffs on EU agricultural exports in a significant escalation of the ongoing trade conflict with Brussels, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
This move comes just before the July 9 deadline to reach a trade agreement, failing which the US has warned of imposing 20% tariffs on all EU goods.
President Donald Trump is demanding that Brussels grant wide-ranging exemptions from regulations to US companies and reduce its trade surplus with the US.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič received the warning during meetings in Washington on Thursday, which was then relayed to the 27 member state ambassadors on Friday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed hope for an “agreement in principle” to facilitate ongoing negotiations towards a final deal. However, Washington is pressuring countries to finalize binding agreements by Trump’s specified deadline.
This story is still developing.
