The EU seeks clarity from Washington after the US imposes 15% global tariffs, citing risks to trade stability and supply chains.
The European Union has firmly urged Washington to honour its existing trade commitments and provide “full clarity” after the US administration announced fresh global tariffs of 15 per cent, reigniting uncertainty across transatlantic trade.
In a strongly worded statement, the EU said the latest move is not conducive to delivering “fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial” trade and investment relations, as agreed in the EU–US Joint Statement of August 2025. The bloc stressed that commitments made by both sides must be respected in full.
“A deal is a deal. As the United States’ largest trading partner, the EU expects the US to honour its commitments, just as the EU stands by its own,” the statement said, underlining the need for predictability and legal certainty for European companies and exporters.
The warning follows the US president’s decision to impose 15 per cent global tariffs, a move that came after the United States Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that the administration had exceeded its authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to levy broad-based import tariffs. The court reaffirmed that the power to impose taxes rests primarily with Congress.
The EU reiterated that tariffs should not exceed the levels previously agreed to, 15 per cent for most EU goods, with zero tariffs on selected products such as aircraft and spare parts. “Tariffs are taxes, driving up costs for both consumers and businesses,” the bloc said, citing studies that confirm their inflationary impact.
Expressing concern over unpredictable tariff actions, the EU warned that such measures undermine confidence in global markets and create fresh uncertainty across international supply chains.
The European Commission confirmed it remains in close contact with US authorities. On February 21, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic held discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The latest escalation follows the US president’s earlier decision to introduce temporary, across-the-board tariffs of 10 per cent, which were raised to 15 per cent just a day later, deepening uncertainty for global trade and supply chains.
Source: The Statesman
