EU Reacts To Trump's Duty Hikes

• 1.05.2026, 21:17

Brussels said the agreements had been violated.

The chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, Bernd Lange, called US President Donald Trump's increase in duties on cars from the EU unacceptable.

He wrote in X.

The lawmaker emphasized that the European Union is fulfilling its obligations under the trade agreement with the United States, while Washington is violating them.

"Trump's plan to impose 25 percent duties on cars from the EU is unacceptable. The European Parliament remains committed to the agreements made in Scotland and is working to finalize legislation. While the EU is honoring its commitments, the US side continues to violate them," Lange stressed.

The chairman of the International Trade Committee called the US administration's moves "clearly unpredictable" and urged the EU to maintain a clear position.

"We have seen such arbitrary moves before, even against partners. The EU must now maintain a clear and firm position," he wrote.

As is known, on May 1, Trump announced the decision to raise duties on cars imported from the EU to 25%, arguing that the EU allegedly failed to comply with the terms of the trade agreement with the US.

Subsequently, he explained that the move was also aimed at getting European countries to build their car plants in the US more quickly.