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President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States will increase tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union (EU) starting next week.
The president justified the move by claiming that the European bloc has failed to comply with the terms of a trade agreement established last summer.
Under that previous pact, duties on EU automobiles and parts had been capped at 15%, a rate notably lower than the 25% tariff applied to other global trading partners.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump confirmed that the new tariff rate will jump to 25%.
While he did not provide specific details regarding the alleged non-compliance, the announcement follows his recent public criticism of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Trump recently urged Merz to prioritise ending the conflict in Ukraine rather than “interfering” in matters involving Iran.
This policy shift is expected to have a significant impact on Germany, which serves as a major hub for the European Union’s automotive exports.
The move signals the administration’s desire to take a stronger stance in its ongoing trade talks with European partners by matching the tariffs levied on other countries.
