EU hits back at 'unacceptable' Donald Trump over plans to increase tariffs

The European Union's trade chair has hit back at Donald Trump after he announced plans to increase tariffs on vehicles exported to the US.

On Friday, the US president said he would be imposing the measures after accusing the EU of "not complying" with an agreed trade deal.

He said the tariffs, which will come into effect next week, will be increased to 25%.

But in response, the EU parliament's trade committee chair, Bernd Lange, said the move showed the US was "unreliable".

Mr Lange said: "This latest move ​demonstrates just how unreliable the US side is.

"We have already witnessed these arbitrary attacks from the US in the case of Greenland; this is no way ​to treat close ⁠partners.

"Now we can only respond with the utmost clarity and firmness, drawing on the strength of our position."

Mr Lange, who said the EU was honouring a framework trade deal struck with the US in Scotland last year, also described Mr Trump's behaviour as "unacceptable".

The deal struck imposed a 15% import tariff on most EU goods, averting a bigger trade war.

The US had repeatedly breached the agreement, he claimed, "for example with over 400 products containing steel and ⁠aluminium, which are now ​subject to an average tariff of ​26 percent".

But a Trump administration official, when asked to explain the president's move, said: "The EU has not complied with the autos deal after eight months."

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Mr Trump told reporters at the White House that the higher tariff would force European car makers to move their factory production to the US more swiftly.

Mr Trump had said in a Truth Social post: "I am pleased to announce that, based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States.

"The Tariff will be increased to 25%. It is fully understood and agreed that, if they produce Cars and Trucks in U.S.A. Plants, there will be NO TARIFF. Many Automobile and Truck Plants are currently under construction, with over 100 Billion Dollars being invested, A RECORD in the History of Car and Truck Manufacturing.

"These Plants, staffed with American Workers, will be opening soon - There has never been anything like what is happening in America today! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Shares of Ford Motor fell 2% after Mr Trump's announcement, with Stellantis down 1.7% and General Motors down 1.5%.

(c) Sky News 2026: EU hits back at 'unacceptable' Donald Trump over plans to increase tariffs