Trump sets July 4 deadline for EU to comply with trade deal or face much higher tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would give the European Union until July 4 to meet its commitments under a trade deal, or he would increase tariffs on EU products, including cars, to "much higher levels." Trump shared this new deadline in a post on Truth Social after a positive phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. During their conversation, the two leaders also agreed that Iran should never acquire a nuclear weapon. Last Friday, Trump surprised many by stating he would raise tariffs on EU vehicles from the previously agreed 15% to 25%. He explained this decision was due to the EU's failure to comply with a trade agreement made in Scotland last July. This agreement required the EU to reduce its tariffs on U.S. industrial goods to zero and offer duty-free quotas for certain American agricultural and seafood products. However, the necessary legislation is moving slowly through the European Parliament. “I’ve been waiting patiently for the EU to fulfill their part of the Historic Trade Deal we agreed to in Turnberry, Scotland, the largest Trade Deal ever!” Trump said. He added, “A promise was made that the EU would deliver their part of the Deal and, according to the Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO! I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels,” referring to the U.S. Independence Day on July 4. Von der Leyen later posted on X, mentioning her discussion with Trump about the trade deal. She expressed agreement that Iran must not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. “We also discussed the EU–U.S. trade deal. We remain fully committed, on both sides, to its implementation. Good progress is being made towards tariff reduction by early July,” von der Leyen stated.