July 4 Deadline: Trump Urges EU To Implement Trade Deal Or Face Tariffs Hike

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: United States President Donald Trump has warned the European Union to formally implement its trade agreement with Washington by July 4 or face higher tariffs on exports to the US.

Trump issued the warning on Thursday after what he described as a “great call” with Ursula von der Leyen, saying the EU had yet to fulfil its obligations under the agreement reached last year.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the EU had promised to reduce tariffs on American goods to zero as part of the arrangement.

“A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO,” Trump stated, adding that failure to meet the deadline could trigger an immediate increase in US tariffs on European imports.

The trade agreement, reached in July 2025, imposed a maximum 15 per cent tariff on most European goods entering the United States.

In return, Brussels pledged to lower tariffs on American industrial products and expand market access for US agricultural exports, including pork and dairy products.

Implementation of the deal, however, has faced delays amid broader tensions in US-EU relations.

Disagreements over Trump’s tariff policies, his controversial proposal to annex Greenland, and legal uncertainty following a US Supreme Court ruling against some existing tariffs reportedly slowed progress.

Although EU lawmakers approved the deal in March, additional safeguards were requested before full implementation. The agreement must still secure backing from all EU member states.

Meanwhile, Cyprus, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, is expected to hold further discussions with European lawmakers on May 19 as efforts continue to finalise the agreement.

(Culled from DW)