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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday the European Union is “prepared for every scenario” after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on European cars and trucks.
Trump said on Friday he would increase tariffs on EU cars and trucks from 15% to 25%, accusing the bloc of failing to respect a trade agreement reached last year. Von der Leyen rejected the claim while speaking in Yerevan.
“A deal is a deal, and we have a deal,” von der Leyen said. “We are both implementing it while respecting the different democratic procedures we have on both sides.”
The EU-U.S. trade deal capped U.S. tariffs at 15% on most European goods, including cars. The European Parliament has given conditional approval to the pact, but a final version still needs to be negotiated with member states.
“On the European Union side, we are now in the final stages of implementing the remaining tariff commitments,” von der Leyen said.
“At the same time, the U.S. has the commitment, for example, where alignment with the agreed ceiling is still outstanding,” she said.
"So we want from this work mutual gain, cooperation and reliability—and we are prepared for every scenario,” she added.
EU trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, was expected to meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of a G7 ministerial meeting in Paris.
Greer told CNBC that the EU approval process had been “very slow” and that amendments had been introduced that would “limit the deal.” The European Commission said it remained committed to the accord.
Von der Leyen made the remarks in Yerevan, where the EU and Armenia held their first summit, focusing on connectivity, security and defense, economic development and people-to-people contacts.
“This first EU-Armenia Summit elevates our partnership to a new level and sets a clear direction and agenda for the coming years,” von der Leyen said.
EU and Armenian leaders witnessed the signing of the EU-Armenia Connectivity Partnership, aimed at strengthening transport, energy and digital links. The partnership is aligned with the EU’s Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda and Armenia’s Crossroad of Peace initiative.
The EU said the partnership would boost trade, create jobs, strengthen resilience and support regional stability.
The bloc also launched a call for expressions of interest for companies in the EU, the European Economic Area and Armenia to develop strategic investment projects in Armenia.
Leaders also witnessed the initiation of a working arrangement between Frontex and Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs to strengthen border and migration management.
The EU said the first progress report on Armenia’s visa liberalization action plan acknowledged progress and outlined next steps.
On security and defense, leaders welcomed the establishment of an EU Partnership Mission in Armenia. The Armenian Armed Forces also received the first deliveries of EU assistance under the European Peace Facility, worth €30 million.
The EU-Armenia partnership is based on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership adopted in December 2025.
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