Trump tears up EU tariff deal and raises some import duties

Donald Trump has said he is tearing up part of the tariff deal he struck with EU leaders at his golf course in Scotland last summer, criticising Brussels for taking so long to ratify the deal. Blindsiding Brussels late on May Day bank holiday on Friday, he announced that he would be increasing tariffs on cars and lorries imported into the US from the EU from 15% to 25% from next week. Vehicles made in the US by EU companies would be exempt from the increase, he wrote on Truth Social. “I am pleased to announce that, based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our full 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,” Trump said. In a follow-up comment, he said – appearing to refer to EU promises of investments – that “many automobile and truck plants are currently under construction with 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.” The EU parliament’s international trade committee chair, the German MEP Bernd Lange, responded immediately, saying Trump’s announcement proved how untrustworthy the US now was. “This is no way to treat close partners,” Lange said. …