Trump Raises Tariff Demands in EU Trade Talks to 15–20%, FT Reports
U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped up his demands in ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union, now calling for a minimum tariff of 15% to 20% as part of any potential agreement, according to the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
This more aggressive stance follows weeks of negotiations centered around keeping tariffs at a baseline level of 10% on most products. Trump has also shown little interest in the EU’s latest proposal to cut tariffs on automobiles and appears prepared to press ahead with the previously announced 25% tariffs on the car sector.
According to the report, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič gave a gloomy account of his recent trip to Washington during a briefing with EU ambassadors on Friday.
A U.S. official added that the administration now aims to implement “reciprocal” tariffs above 10%, even if a trade agreement is ultimately reached between the two sides.
