Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to the European Union, demanding that the bloc ratify its side of a U.S.-EU trade deal by 4 July 2026, or face significantly higher tariffs on imports. Trump accused the EU of failing to honor its commitments, particularly regarding the reduction of tariffs on American goods, and warned of "much higher tariffs" than the current 15% if the deadline is not met. The threat was reiterated in a call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who acknowledged "good progress" but did not confirm whether the EU would meet the deadline . This follows a pattern of fragile trade truces between the U.S. and EU, with Trump previously walking back threats to impose tariffs on EU car imports .
Meanwhile, a U.S. trade court ruled that Trump’s latest 10% global tariffs are unjustified under a 1970s trade law, though the decision only blocked the levies for two private importers and the state of Washington. The tariffs remain in place for all other importers while the Trump administration appeals the ruling .
Separately, the EU is navigating geopolitical tensions while maintaining economic ties with both the U.S. and Ukraine. European Council President António Costa suggested the bloc sees potential for future talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Kyiv’s support, though he noted Moscow has shown no willingness to engage in serious negotiations. This comes as frustration grows over stalled U.S.-led peace efforts in Ukraine . The EU has also approved a €90 billion loan to fund Ukraine’s war efforts, highlighting Europe’s reliance on debt to sustain its defense and economic commitments, in contrast to Russia’s cash-funded military production . Additionally, Ukraine is increasingly integrating into Europe’s defense industry, with joint projects like Poland’s drone program, though Europe’s slower procurement systems remain a hurdle .
> Background: **Trump Sets July 4 Deadline for EU to Finalize Trade Deal or Face Tariffs** — *8 hours ago*
EU prepares for potential talks with Putin, says official European Council president António Costa says bloc has Kyivs support for seeking to negotiate with Russian president
financial times · 13 days ago
Trump walks back threat to rip up part of EU trade deal but tells bloc to ratify by 4 July US president expresses impatience at speed of EUs implementation and warns of much higher tariffsUS trade court rules against Trumps 10 global tariffsBusiness live – latest updatesDonald Trump has walked back from his threat to tear up part of the US trade deal with the EU by hiking tariffs on car imports.The US president has given the EU until 4 July to implement its side of the deal, reducing tariffs to zero on most American imports, warning that the bloc would face much higher tariffs if it did not do so. Continue reading...
theguardian · 13 days ago
Newsletter: Another Trump ultimatum, another fragile trade truce for the EU Also in this newsletter: Europe Today speaks to the EUs Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius as hes set to sign the EUs first defence loan deals under the €150-billion SAFE programme in Poland and Lithuania.
euronews · 13 days ago
💬 As Poland and Lithuania prepare to finalise nearly €50 billion in defence loans on Friday – just one day before #Russias controversial Victory Day parade – the EUs defence chief said the timing is symbolic. But despite the show of resolve, he warned #Europe is still not moving fast enough.
mastodon bot · 13 days ago
Press release - Europeans celebrate unity, values and democracy on Europe Day 2026 On 9 May, Europeans will celebrate Europe Day. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
european parlament · 13 days ago
📰 Russia is still outproducing us militarily, EU Defence Commissioner tells EuronewsAs Poland and Lithuania prepare to finalise nearly €50 billion in defence loans on Friday — just one day before Russias controversial Victory Day parade — the EUs defence chief said the timing is symbolic. But despite the show of resolve, he warned Europe is still not moving fa… #UKNews #Europe
mastodon bot · 13 days ago
Tariffs: Trump gives EU July 4 deadline in call with von der Leyen The US President accuses the European Union of failing to honour its commitments and threatens much higher tariffs than 15 per cent unless there is a change of course. The Commission President: Good progress
eunews.it · 13 days ago
KYIV POST: EU Sees Potential for Talks with Putin, Costa Says European Council President António Costa said the EU sees potential for future talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Kyivs support. The remarks come as frustration grows in Europe over stalled US-led peace efforts. However, Costa noted there is still no sign that Moscow is ready to engage in serious negotiations. #Europe #World
mastodon bot · 13 days ago
Europe funds the Ukraine conflict with debt, Russia with cash How can Europe cover the $100bn the war in Ukraine costs? The EU just signed off on a €90bn loan for Ukraine agreed at a summit on December 19 to get it through the next two years. Europe doesnt have the cash. Russia does.
intellinews · 13 days ago
Trump threatens EU with much higher tariffs if no trade deal signed by new deadline President Donald Trump said he will give the European Union until July 4 to ratify its trade agreement with the U.S.
cnbc · 13 days ago
US trade court once again rules Trump tariffs illegal, but issues narrow block The US Court of International Trade on Friday ruled that US President Donald Trumps latest 10 temporary global duties are unjustified under a 1970s trade law, but blocked the levies only for two private importers and the State of Washington. The decision leaves the temporary tariffs in place for all other importers while any appeal by the Trump administration plays out.
france24 · 13 days ago
KYIV POST: Ukraine Is Becoming Europes Industrial Defense Partner Ukraine is increasingly integrating with Europes defense industry, but Europe still struggles to absorb Ukraines fast, battlefield driven innovation into its slower procurement systems. New EU funding and joint projects, such as Polands drone program, show deeper integration, yet Europe must move faster to embed Ukrainian tech into supply chains. #Europe #Ukraine
mastodon bot · 13 days ago
European Commission says will keep options open over Trump tariff threat Trump said he will raise tariffs on automobiles and auto parts from the EU to 25 percent because the bloc is not living up to its end of a trade agreement struck last summer.
politico.eu · 19 days ago
Trump says hell place 25 tariff on autos from the EU, accusing it of not complying with trade deal
gdeltproject.org · 19 days ago
Trump tears up part of EU tariff deal and raises some import duties US president says tariff on cars and lorries will rise to 25 and accuses European Union of non-complianceDonald 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 Friday, a public holiday in much of Europe, 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. Continue reading...
theguardian · 19 days ago
Trump announces 25 percent tariffs on European Union cars, trucks US president says EU not complying with current trade deal; launches latest tariffs amid global economic uncertainty.
aljazeera · 19 days ago
EU trade official calls Trump tariff threat unacceptable after president says trucks and cars will face 25 levy – US politics live EU official responds after US president accuses EU of non-complianceTrump tears up EU tariff deal and raises some import dutiesSign up for the Breaking News US emailMeanwhile, the White House has said it will not detail private diplomatic conversations when Reuters asked about Irans new proposal to the United States that was submitted to Pakistani mediators.We do not detail private diplomatic conversations. President Trump has been clear that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon, and negotiations continue to ensure the short- and long-term national security of the United States, spokeswoman Anna Kelly told Reuters.I do have the impression from some of the briefings that I have received, as well as other sources, that an imminent military strike is very much on the table.There really is no coherent strategy, which came across very vividly and graphically in the hearing today with Secretary Hegseth.And it comes across in the presidents comments, which oscillate between seeming open to negotiation and then foreclosing it entirely and threatening destruction of civilizations. Continue reading...
theguardian · 19 days ago
Trump to raise US tariffs on EU cars to 25, accusing bloc of not complying with deal Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to the trade deal last July which set a 15 tariff on most goods.
euronews · 19 days ago
Trump to put 25 tariffs on EU cars, says bloc not complying with trade deal US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would increase the tariffs charged on cars and trucks from the European Union next week to 25 per cent, a move that could jolt the world economy at a fragile moment. Trump said in the post that the EU is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, though he did not flesh out his objections in the post. Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had agreed to the trade deal last July. It set a 15 per cent tariff on most...
south china morning post · 19 days ago
Trump says he will hike tariffs on EU cars to 25 The current level of tariffs charged on goods entering the US from the EU is 15, under a deal negotiated last July.
bbc · 19 days ago
Trump says US will hike tariffs on EU cars and trucks to 25 Donald Trump accused the European Union of not complying with a trade deal struck last year.
le monde · 19 days ago
⚡ NEWSTrump Threatens 25 Tariffs on EU AutosUS President Donald Trump announced plans to raise tariffs on European Union vehicles to 25 next week, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with the terms of their 2025 trade agreement.📰 #EU #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #GeoWire
mastodon bot · 19 days ago
Trump drops tariff threat against Europe and touts future Greenland deal US president backs away from new trade war after talks with Nato chief Mark Rutte
financial times · 4 months ago
Trump walks back Greenland tariffs threat, citing vague deal over territory US president claims framework of agreement in the works after very productive meeting with Nato secretary generalDonald Trump has walked back his threat to impose sweeping US tariffs on eight European countries, claiming he had agreed the framework of a future deal on Greenland.Four days after vowing to introduce steep import duties on a string of US allies over their support for Greenlands continued status as an autonomous Danish territory, the president backed down. Continue reading...
theguardian · 4 months ago
Trump scraps tariff threat and claims framework of a future deal on Greenland – live US president touts very productive meeting with Nato chief Mark Rutte and says planned tariffs on European allies will not go into effect as a resultHouse Republicans are starting a push on Wednesday to hold former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, opening the prospect of the House using one of its most powerful punishments against a former president for the first time.The contempt proceedings are an initial step toward a criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice that, if successful, could send the Clintons to prison.Theyre not above the law. Weve issued subpoenas in good faith.For five months weve worked with them. And times up. Continue reading...
theguardian · 4 months ago
Trump lays out framework for Greenland-Arctic deal, pauses February tariffs Following what he called a very productive meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States has established the framework for a future agreement concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region. This solution, if finalised, will be a great one for the United States of America and all Nato nations, Trump said on Wednesday, adding that, based on this understanding, he will not impose the tariffs originally scheduled for February...
south china morning post · 4 months ago
🔴Live: Trump cancels tariff threat after agreeing Greenland deal framework with NATOs Rutte
france24 · 4 months ago
Trump drops European tariff threat as he touts future Greenland deal US president says that productive meeting with Natos Mark Rutte led to pullback on levies
financial times · 4 months ago
Trump nixes European tariff threats over Greenland after NATO chief talks US president says framework of a future deal on Greenland and wider Arctic region reached with NATO chief Mark Rutte.
aljazeera · 4 months ago
Trump says agreed framework for US deal over Greenland US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he had reached a framework for a deal over Greenland following a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte, and that he would therefore waive tariffs scheduled to hit European allies. FRANCE 24s Fraser Jackson reports from Washington.
france24 · 4 months ago