EU Finalizes Formal Agreement with US on 15% General Tariff

The European Union has closed this Thursday the formal agreement with the United States for a general tariff of 15% on its exports, which will also apply to sectors such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, diplomatic sources have confirmed to Europa Press.

In this way, both blocs put in writing the political agreement reached between the EU president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the US president, Donald Trump, in a joint communiqué. The document, although not legally binding, is seen as a roadmap for trade policy between Washington and Brussels.

The sources consulted explain that some sensitive products for Europe such as wine and distilled beverages are for the time being not on the list of products included in the joint communiqué. However, Brussels has guarantees on the pharmaceutical and semiconductor sectors.

If complied with, the tariff on European products to the United States would remain at 15%

The Community Executive has defended that the pact reached with Trump generates stability in relations and avoids the worst-case scenario of entering into a trade war, assuming that the agreed levy is “acceptable” and will be the maximum figure to be applied to all sectors.

Tariffs of 15% have been applied since August 7 to most European goods, 70% of imports, with sectors such as automobiles that will see the surcharges lowered, which until now stood at 27.5%.