Trump’s New 15% Tariff Sparks Trade Concerns with EU and UK

A new 15% global tariff imposed by President Donald Trump on all imports has triggered alarm among European officials, potentially jeopardizing hard-fought trade deals with the United States. The move follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Friday that struck down Trump’s previous global tariffs policy [Reuters].

Supreme Court Ruling and Tariff Implementation

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn President Trump’s earlier global tariffs prompted an initial announcement of a 10% levy, which was quickly raised to the legal maximum of 15%. This new tariff is “effective immediately,” according to a post on Trump’s Truth Social account [CNBC]. The administration is able to maintain the 15% rate for 150 days before congressional approval is required.

European Union Response

European officials have expressed “disbelief and concern” over the new tariff policy, with Bernd Lange, Chairman of the European Parliament’s trade committee, describing it as “pure tariff chaos” [CNBC]. The European Parliament has postponed a planned vote on the trade agreement with the U.S. In response to the uncertainty [Reuters]. EU leaders have stated they will not accept an increase in U.S. Tariffs [The Hill]. ECB President Christine Lagarde has warned that business relations could be negatively impacted by the increased uncertainty [CNBC].

United Kingdom Concerns

London has also voiced alarm, with officials seeking clarification from the White House regarding the practical implications of the new tariff policy for their trade deal with the U.S. Currently, most EU exports to the U.S. Face a 15% duty, while those from the UK are subject to a 10% levy [CNBC].

Background: Previous Trade Deal

The current situation stems from a preliminary trade deal reached in July 2025 to avert a potential 30% U.S. Tariff on EU goods [FactCheck.org]. Under that agreement, the U.S. Imposed a 15% tariff on most imports from the 27 EU nations. Economists have previously disputed the justification for tariffs, arguing that other macroeconomic factors contribute more to trade imbalances than specific trade policies [FactCheck.org].