Trump's New European Car Tariffs Demonstrate Why His 'Deals' Are Worthless
President Donald Trump has announced a tariff increase on European-made cars from 15 to 25 percent, undermining a trade deal previously negotiated with the European Union. The move has drawn criticism for destabilizing trans-Atlantic trade relations and calling into question the reliability of U.S. trade agreements. European officials and industry leaders warn the abrupt change threatens economic cooperation and long-term investment.
- ▪President Donald Trump raised tariffs on European-made cars to 25 percent under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
- ▪The tariff hike jeopardizes a partially ratified trade deal that had set a 15 percent tariff on most European goods exported to the U.S.
- ▪European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously stated the deal would restore stability and predictability in trans-Atlantic trade.
- ▪The U.S. trade deal with the EU has not been approved by Congress, and the EU is still in the process of ratifying it.
- ▪Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee, called Trump's tariff increase 'unacceptable' and criticized the arbitrariness of the decision.
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Free Trade Trump's New European Car Tariffs Demonstrate Why His 'Deals' Are Worthless A trade deal that can be terminated by one person at any time and for any reason isn't really a trade deal at all. Eric Boehm | 5.4.2026 2:50 PM Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google Media Contact & Reprint Requests <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2026/05/Thumbnail-800x450.png" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto" width="1200" height="675" title="An assembly line at a car factory, with Donald Trump pointing towards the viewer in the background" alt="An assembly line at a car factory, with Donald Trump pointing towards the viewer in the background | Illustration: Lex Villena;…
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