NEWS DESK (MNN); The European Commission on Sunday called on the United States to adhere to the terms of last yearās EU-US trade agreement after the US Supreme Court struck down former president Donald Trumpās global tariffs, prompting him to impose new across-the-board levies.
The Commission, which oversees trade policy for the European Unionās 27 member states, said Washington must provide full clarity on how it intends to proceed following the courtās ruling.
On Friday, the Supreme Court invalidated Trumpās sweeping global tariffs. In response, the US president announced temporary tariffs of 10 percent on all imports, which were subsequently raised to 15 percent a day later.
In a strongly worded statement, the Commission said the current developments were not in line with the commitment to ensure fair, balanced and mutually beneficial transatlantic trade and investment, as outlined in the joint statement accompanying last yearās agreement. It emphasized that the deal must be respected.
The remarks marked a sharper tone compared to the Commissionās earlier reaction, when it said only that it was reviewing the courtās decision and maintaining contact with US authorities.
Under the agreement reached last year, most EU goods were subject to a 15 percent US tariff, excluding certain sector-specific measures such as those on steel. The deal also provided for zero tariffs on selected items including aircraft and spare parts. In return, the EU agreed to reduce import duties on numerous US products and stepped back from plans to introduce retaliatory tariffs.
The Commission stressed that EU exports must continue to receive the most competitive treatment, without tariff increases beyond the clearly defined ceiling previously agreed upon. It warned that unpredictable tariff measures disrupt global markets and erode business confidence.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic discussed the matter on Saturday with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to the statement.
