Trump Sets July 4 Deadline for EU Trade Deal or Tariffs Rise

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday via social media that the United States would impose higher tariffs on goods from the European Union unless the 27-nation bloc approves a trade framework agreed upon last year by July 4.

The deadline, which coincides with the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, follows a phone call between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the U.S. leader described as "great." Trump expressed frustration that the European Parliament has not yet ratified the arrangement. "A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" he posted. "I agreed to give her until our Countrys 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."

The post comes after Trump threatened last Friday to raise tariffs on EU automobiles to 25 percent starting this week, suggesting the new statement may extend that timeline and give European lawmakers additional weeks to act. It remained unclear whether the threatened increases would apply to all EU imports or target specific sectors like autos.