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U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the European Union must ratify its trade deal with the United States by July 4 or face “much higher” tariffs, after European officials fell short of an agreement on the pact.
Trump said he spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and agreed to give the bloc until the Fourth of July holiday, which this year marks 250 years since the American colonies declared independence from British rule.
“I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels,” Trump said on Truth Social.
The 27-member EU bloc and the United States reached a deal last July setting tariffs on most EU goods at 15%.
However, a final version of the pact still needs to be agreed by member states before it can be implemented by the bloc.
Trump has voiced frustration with the delay and last week vowed to raise duties on EU cars and trucks to 25%, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with the deal.
“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!” Trump said.
“A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!” he added.
Cyprus, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, said it wanted to maintain “positive momentum” at talks with members of the European Parliament on May 19.
EU lawmakers gave their approval to the tariff deal with Trump in late March but also sought additional safeguards.
Despite conditional approval by the European Parliament, the deal must still be negotiated with EU states before it can take effect.
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