EU to Expedite Tariff Removal to Appease Trump

The European Union is expediting procedures to eliminate tariffs on U.S. industrial goods by the end of the week, fulfilling a request from Donald Trump.

This move is part of a trade agreement aimed at reducing U.S. tariffs on European car exports. The European Commission will also consider preferential tariff rates for certain seafood and agricultural products.

U.S. tariffs on European cars currently stand at 27.5%. Under the agreement, tariffs on most European exports are reduced to 15%, but Trump has stated this will not apply to cars unless the EU first eliminates its own industrial tariffs.

Germany is the largest exporter of European cars to the U.S., with a value of $34.9 billion in 2024.

This move comes as Trump has threatened to impose tariffs and other sanctions on countries that tax online services.