In a major step toward reshaping transatlantic commerce, former President Donald Trump announced that the United States and the European Union have reached a foundational agreement for a new trade deal. The announcement followed high-stakes discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry, Scotland.
The framework includes a 15% flat tariff on all European imports, bringing months of uncertainty to a close. Previously, EU nations had pushed to maintain a 10% baseline tariff, but the United States insisted on a universal rate of 15% as a condition for moving forward.
Trump confirmed, “We’ve agreed to a straight-across 15% tariff for automobiles and all other categories. This ensures fair and balanced trade on both sides.”
A notable component of the deal includes significant new European commitments to the U.S. economy. According to Trump, the European Union has agreed to purchase $750 billion worth of American energy products and will expand its investment in the U.S. by an additional $600 billion. The agreement also outlines an European Union pledge to acquire a considerable volume of U.S. military equipment.
Calling it “the biggest deal ever made,” Trump emphasized the scale and impact of the agreement, claiming it will open all EU nations to trade with the U.S. under the new tariff structure and increase cross-border economic activity.
Negotiations came down to the wire, as both sides faced a looming deadline to avoid steep new U.S. tariffs. Had an agreement not been reached by Friday, a 30% tariff would have been imposed on European imports. Trump made it clear that 15% was the lowest rate his administration was willing to accept.
Speaking at the joint press conference, von der Leyen acknowledged the difficulty of the talks: “I knew from the beginning it would be a tough negotiation—and it was. But the result is a strong agreement that benefits both sides.”
She added that the framework will bring stability and predictability to businesses across the Atlantic, which she said is vital for fostering investment and long-term planning.
The agreement follows Trump’s previous statement in early July that new tariffs would take effect on August 1 unless a deal was reached. He cited a longstanding imbalance in trade between the U.S. and European Union as the primary motivation for the proposed tariff hikes.
Trump also issued a reminder that countries failing to finalize trade agreements with the U.S. would face additional tariffs, except in the sectors of steel and aluminum, where the U.S. already collects tariffs of up to 50%.
At the briefing, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that tariffs on semiconductors are currently under review and are expected to be announced within two weeks. Lutnick reiterated that no further delays or grace periods would be granted after August 1, although major economic players could continue to engage in trade discussions with the U.S.
As both sides now work toward formalizing the agreement, the announcement signals a major shift in U.S.-EU economic relations and sets the stage for deeper cooperation and increased trade flow in the coming years.
