Donald Trump relaunches trade pressure on the EU. The American president announced on Friday that he wanted to increase customs duties on vehicles imported from European countries to 25%, accusing Brussels of not respecting the trade agreement concluded with Washington.

Published on: 05/01/2026 - 6:04 p.m. Modified on: 05/01/2026 - 6:33 p.m.

American President Donald Trump announced on Friday May 1 that he wanted to increase customs duties on vehicles imported into the United States from the European Union (EU) to 25%, criticizing the 27 for not respecting the trade agreement they concluded.

The American president says he is "delighted" to announce this new measure of distrust towards one of his main trading partners, in a message on his Truth Social platform published a few days after an argument with the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz. It targets both cars and heavier vehicles.

“It is clearly understood and agreed that if they produce cars and trucks in factories located in the United States, NO CUSTOMS DUTY will be applied,” adds the president.

The European Union and the United States concluded an agreement last summer limiting customs duties on European cars and spare parts to 15%, while other countries remained hit by 25%.

Donald Trump accuses several European partners of refusing any military or logistical contribution to operations carried out by Washington in the Strait of Hormuz, against Iran.

He notably said this week that he was considering reducing the American forces stationed in Germany after Friedrich Merz declared that “the Americans (had) visibly no strategy” in Iran.

Germany is a major automobile producer.

With AFP

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