Trump gives EU until 4 July to ratify trade deal or face ‘much higher’ tariffs

Donald Trump has said the EU must ratify its trade deal with the US by 4 July or face “much higher” tariffs, after European officials fell short of agreement on the pact.

Trump said he spoke to the EU chief, Ursula von der Leyen, about the issue and, he posted on his Truth Social platform, “agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels”.

The Fourth of July holiday this year marks 250 years since the American colonies declared independence from British rule.

Von der Leyen said Thursday that the bloc had made “good progress” towards ratifying the deal by early July.

“We remain fully committed, on both sides, to its implementation,” she added on X.

The 27-member EU bloc and the US struck a deal last July, setting tariffs on most European goods at 15%.

But Trump has been dissatisfied at the speed of its implementation.

The situation became more complicated after the US supreme court ruled in February that Trump had exceeded his authority in imposing a wide swathe of his tariffs, including on the EU.

The Trump administration has since imposed a temporary 10% duty, while his administration pursues more lasting ways to rebuild his trade agenda.

But the court ruling did not affect sector-specific tariffs like those on cars, which under the EU agreement had been lowered to 15%.

As the deal still awaits signoff by EU member states, Trump vowed last week to raise duties on EU cars and trucks to 25%, accusing the bloc of failing to hold up its side of the bargain.

Cyprus, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, said it wanted to maintain “positive momentum” at talks with MEPs on 19 May.

“I’ve been waiting patiently for the EU to fulfill their side of the Historic Trade Deal we agreed in Turnberry, Scotland, the largest Trade Deal, ever!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!”