The European Union is holding an emergency meeting Monday amid confusion over U.S. tariffs. The bloc’s trade chief is expected to propose suspending ratification of the U.S.-E.U. trade deal until leaders get “full clarity” on American tariff policy.
Tariff back-and-forth
The move follows a Supreme Court ruling Friday, saying President Donald Trump does not have the authority to impose unilateral tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Right after that, Trump said he would raise global tariffs to 10%.
A day later, he posted on Truth Social that because of the ruling he’d raise worldwide tariffs to 15% “effective immediately.” He does have the power to do that under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Tariffs imposed under Section 122 cannot stay in place more than 150 days unless Congress approves an extension. He also can’t raise them higher than 15%.
The E.U. and U.S. traded $2 trillion in goods and services in 2024.
“During that time, we’re going to conduct investigations that can allow us to impose tariffs if it’s justified by the investigation,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in an interview on CBS Sunday. “So we expect to have continuity in the president’s tariff program.”
European response
European officials are pressing the White House for answers on how Trump’s latest decision affects trade agreements signed last year. Under those agreements, most E.U. exports would already face15% tariffs, while those from the U.K. would face 10% duties.
The E.U.’s international trade chair, Bernd Lange, blasted the situation on social media Sunday, calling it “pure customs chaos on the part of the US government.” Lange added, “No one can make any sense of it anymore.”
Reines Zollchaos seitens der US-Regierung. Niemand kann sich mehr einen Reim darauf machen – nur offene Fragen und wachsende Unsicherheit für die EU und andere Handelspartner der USA (1/3)
In a statement, the European Commission said, “The current situation is not conducive to delivering ‘fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial’ transatlantic trade and investment, as agreed to by both sides and spelled out in the EU-U.S. Joint Statement of August 2025.”
A deal is a deal. As the United States’ largest trading partner, the EU expects the U.S. to honour its commitments set out in the Joint Statement – just as the EU stands by its commitments.
European Commission
The U.K.’s response was along the same lines.
“Under any scenario, we expect our privileged trading position with the U.S. to continue and will work with the administration to understand how the ruling will affect tariffs for the U.K. and the rest of the world,” a U.K. government spokesperson said.
The E.U. does have tools to respond. Its “Anti-Coercion Instrument” allows Brussels to restrict trade or investment from countries it determines are applying economic pressure on member states.
This story is featured in today’s Unbiased Updates. Watch the full episode here.
US not backing down
Greer said on Sunday that the already agreed upon trade deals still stand.
“I’ve been telling them [the E.U.] for a year, whether this case — whether we won or lost, we were going to have tariffs, the president’s policy was going to continue,” Greer said. “That’s why they signed these deals, even while the litigation was pending. So we’re having active conversations with them. We want them to understand that these deals are going to be good deals. We expect to stand by them. We expect our partners to stand by them. And I haven’t heard anyone yet come to me and say, ‘the deal’s off.’ They want to see how this plays out.”
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