Trump Slaps 15% Tariff on EU Goods—Including Cars—Dodging Bullet of 30% Surge

Trade tensions flare as the US imposes fresh tariffs—but stops short of a full-blown trade war.

Automakers breathe (partial) sigh of relief as 15% levy lands instead of feared 30% hammer blow.

Wall Street shrugs—because what's another tariff between 'strategic partners'?

EU agrees to spend big in exchange for tariff cap

In return for the U.S. capping the tariff at 15% instead of the threatened 30%, the EU agreed to buy $750 billion worth of U.S. energy and also invest an additional $600 billion in the American economy. These commitments, TRUMP said, go beyond previous levels and will be directed at a range of sectors. He did not share any specific breakdowns or timelines.

The president also claimed that the EU will be “purchasing hundreds of billions of dollars worth of military equipment,” though no specific figures were disclosed. The defense side of the agreement raised eyebrows, with some officials noting that past military spending pledges from U.S. allies have often moved slowly, if at all.

Before the deal was finalized, Trump said there was only a “50-50 chance” that he and von der Leyen would strike any kind of framework. On the EU’s side, Brussels had already started preparing for a collapse.

Lawmakers had approved a counter-tariff package aimed at targeting U.S. goods and were reportedly getting ready to trigger the Anti-Coercion Instrument, known as the “trade bazooka” inside EU circles. That tool is considered a last-resort mechanism for hitting back against economic pressure from major global players.

Ireland and Germany respond, numbers reveal scale

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin welcomed the agreement, saying it “brings clarity and predictability” to the U.S.-EU trade relationship. His office, however, warned that the higher tariffs would “make trade more expensive and more challenging.” The Department of the Taoiseach said the agreement still represented a step toward “a new era of stability,” but one that comes with clear trade-offs.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded with cautious support, focusing on what the deal means for the auto industry. He pointed out that the previous 27.5% tariff rate on cars had now been “almost halved,” and called the quick adjustment “of great significance” to Germany’s export-focused economy. Germany had been pushing hard for car tariff relief throughout the talks.

The broader U.S.-EU trade relationship is massive. In 2024, total trade in both goods and services between the two hit 1.68 trillion euros, which is around $1.97 trillion. While the EU ran a surplus in goods trading, it recorded a deficit in services, leading to an overall surplus of 50 billion euros with the U.S. last year. The shift to a 15% tariff structure is expected to have a major effect on that balance, especially for sectors that rely on consistent cross-border flows like machinery, autos, and pharmaceuticals.

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