Washington: US President Donald Trump warned the European Union on Thursday that it must eliminate its tariffs by the 250th anniversary of American independence or face significantly higher trade barriers.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social after a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, emphasizing the urgency for the EU to fulfill its commitment to the historic trade deal agreed in Turnberry, Scotland. The president asserted that the EU had promised to reduce tariffs to zero as part of the agreement signed in the UK last year, a commitment he insists remains unfulfilled.
Trump has given European leaders until July 4, 2026, to comply with the agreement, warning that failure to meet this deadline would result in the US escalating tariffs to "much higher levels." The Turnberry deal, negotiated on July 27, 2025, set a 15% rate on most European exports to the US while promising zero tariffs on key American industrial and agricultural goods entering the EU. Although the EU Parliament approved the implementing legislation in March with a 417-154 vote, member states are still negotiating the finalization of the framework due to attached conditions.
Von der Leyen confirmed the "very good" call with Trump and stated on X that both sides "remain fully committed" to the deal's execution, indicating that "good progress is being made towards tariff reduction by early July." However, Politico, citing a person familiar with the meeting, reported that talks between EU lawmakers and governments on implementing the US deal concluded on Wednesday night without reaching a consensus.
Trump recently indicated that Washington would raise tariffs to 25% on cars and trucks imported from the EU, citing non-compliance with the trade deal as the reason. Beyond trade, Trump mentioned that he and von der Leyen also discussed the Iran conflict. He emphasized that both sides are "completely united" in ensuring Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon, stressing that a regime that kills its own people cannot be trusted with a bomb capable of killing millions.
Von der Leyen echoed concerns over regional stability and global security risks, asserting that the dangers are "too great" for Iran to obtain nuclear capabilities.