Trump Hikes EU Auto Tariffs to 25%: Brussels Fires Back, Seoul Takes Note
On May 1, 2026, Donald Trump announced he would raise US tariffs on European Union cars and trucks to 25%, up from the current 15%, accusing the EU of failing to comply with their summer 2025 trade deal. The measure was set to take effect the following week. The EU denounced the move as 'unacceptable' from an 'unreliable' trading partner. The announcement came the same day the EU-Mercosur deal entered into force, revealing the multi-front trade war Trump is waging against his allies.
