Trump gives EU until July 4 to ratify deal or face tariffs

President Donald Trump has set a Fourth of July deadline for the European Union to ratify its trade agreement with the United States, warning that failure to do so will trigger “much higher” tariffs after European officials stopped short of finalising the pact.

Mr Trump said he had spoken with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and “agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels.”

This year’s Fourth of July marks 250 years since the American colonies declared independence from British rule.

Writing on X, Ms von der Leyen said the EU had made “good progress” toward ratifying its tariff agreement with the United States by early July following what she described as a “very good call” with Mr Trump.

The United States and the 27-member EU bloc reached the deal last July, setting tariffs at 15% on most European goods.

But Mr Trump has grown frustrated with the pace of implementation. Matters became more tangled in February, when the US Supreme Court ruled that he had overstepped his authority in imposing a broad range of tariffs, including those targeting the EU.

Since then, the Trump administration has put in place a temporary 10% duty while it looks for more durable ways to rebuild his trade agenda.

The February ruling did not touch sector-specific tariffs such as those on cars, which under the EU agreement had been reduced to 15%.

With the deal still awaiting approval from EU member states, Mr Trump last week threatened to lift duties on EU cars and trucks to 25%, accusing the bloc of failing to honour its commitments.

Cyprus, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, said it wanted to preserve “positive momentum” during talks with MEPs on 19 May.

“I’ve been waiting patiently for the EU to fulfill their side of the Historic Trade Deal we agreed in Turnberry, Scotland, the largest Trade Deal, ever!” Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!”

In late March, EU politicians approved the tariff deal with Mr Trump, while also pressing for extra safeguards.

Even with that conditional backing from the European Parliament, the agreement still requires negotiations with EU states before the bloc can put it into effect.

US trade court rules against Trump’s 10% global tariffs

On Thursday evening, a US trade court ruled against Mr Trump’s latest 10% global tariff, finding it was not justified under the 1970s law the administration had invoked to impose it.

The decision by the US Court of International Trade was 2-1 and applies to the parties that brought the case against the administration.

Mr Trump introduced the temporary duty in February after the Supreme Court struck down a broader set of tariffs.

According to the Trump administration, the 10% duty was intended to address balance of payments deficits.

The measure is due to remain in place until late July unless Congress extends it, as the Trump administration searches for more permanent ways to rebuild his trade agenda.

As part of that effort, US officials have launched new investigations into dozens of trading partners over concerns about forced labor and over capacity, moves that could pave the way for fresh tariffs.

Thursday’s ruling by the Court of International Trade ordered defendants to carry out the decision within five days and to issue refunds to the importers who sued.

Mr Trump’s sector-specific tariffs on products such as steel, aluminum and autos remain untouched by the Supreme Court’s ruling.