Donald Trump is increasing the tariffs charged on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25%.
The US president accused the EU of “not complying with our fully agreed to trade deal” in a post on Truth Social, but did not explain how.
“I am pleased to announce that… next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks,” Trump said on Friday.
The current level of tariffs charged on goods entering the US from the EU is 15%, under a deal negotiated last July.
Trump’s latest announcement marks a sharp escalation in trade tensions between Washington and Brussels.
Talks about how to move forward on last summer’s deal had stalled over a dispute on steel and aluminium, with major European economies like Germany and France rejecting U.S. plans to adjust tariffs on a wide range of goods.
Cars are a vital industry for Europe, so it marks a particularly sensitive target for Trump to pick.
The trade deal agreed between the EU and US, at Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland, set levies on most European goods at 15%.
