Trump gives EU ultimatum deadline to approve trade deal with US

Trump's deadline to the European Union came as a trade court ruled his global tariff policy violated US law. Trump threatens 'much higher' tariffs on EU by 4 of July Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. A close-up shows Donald Trump talking, while looking serious. Trump gives EU ultimatum deadline to approve trade deal with US President Donald Trump has threatened "much higher" tariffs on the European Union (EU) by 4 July if the bloc fails to drop its levies on the US to zero. After a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump said he agreed to give her until "our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels". However, von der Leyen said the bloc was making "good progress towards tariff reduction" ahead of Trump's deadline. Hours after the threat, a US trade court ruled Trump's latest 10% global tariffs were not justified under US trade law, which could allow future court challenges. A trade deal was struck by von der Leyen and Trump in July last year, but progress on enacting it stumbled on Wednesday after talks between EU lawmakers and governments ended without an agreement. "We remain fully committed, on both sides, to its implementation," von der Leyen said on X on Thursday. Under the agreement, US tariffs on exports from the EU would face a 15% tariff. Trump had threatened tariffs of 30% on European goods. The deal received conditional approval from the European Parliament in March, when a majority of lawmakers backed legislation to implement the agreement, but added several safeguards aimed at ensuring the US honoured its side of the pact. The deal received conditional approval from the European Parliament in March, when a majority of lawmakers backed legislation to implement the agreement, but added several safeguards aimed at ensuring the US honoured its side of the pact. Parliamentarians voted they would only accept zero tariffs on US goods if European goods made with steel and aluminium were excluded from Trump's global 50% tariff on those metal products. Despite the progress through parliament, the deal also requires endorsement by the 27 member states. Earlier on Thursday, before Trump's social media statement, the European Parliament's chief negotiator Bernd Lagne said lawmakers and governments were making good progress on the negotiations but added "there is still some way to go". The negotiators are set to meet for another round of talks on 19 May in Strasbourg. "We remain more committed than ever to advance and defend Parliament's mandate so as to provide additional guarantees that will benefit citizens and companies in both the EU and the US," Lange said in a statement. Last week, Trump accused the EU of "not complying with our fully agreed to trade deal" in a post on Truth Social, and said he would increase tariffs on trucks and cars to 25%. Last week, Trump accused the EU of "not complying with our fully agreed to trade deal" in a post on Truth Social, and said he would increase tariffs on trucks and cars to 25% The original agreement on tariffs and trade was reached after the US President finished a round of golf at his luxury resort in Turnberry, Scotland. As negotiations over trade and tariff deals continue, the president has had difficulty getting his broader tariff decisions to stick legally. On Thursday, a US trade court ruled Trump's latest 10% global tariffs were not justified under US trade law. Trump had introduced the sweeping levy on 24 February after the US Supreme Court decision struck down his so-called "freedom day" tariffs imposed last year. on 24 February after the US Supreme Court decision struck down his so-called "freedom day" tariffs imposed last year. The president had invoked Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act which allows temporary duties to be imposed to correct serious "balance of payments deficits" when introducing the new tariff. The 10% levy is set to last until late July. On Thursday, the US Court of International Trade ruled that law was not an appropriate step for the deficits cited by the president. However, the ruling does not block the 10% tariffs universally. The judgement applies to importer tariffs for two companies, but paves the way for further court challenges. Ursula von der Leyen shakes hands with Donald Trump, both seated with a bunch of white roses and Scottish thistles between them. Von der Leyen wears a light grey suit jacket and has short blonde hair. Trump wears a navy suit jacket, white shirt and a mustard tie. Trump agrees trade deal with EU president after round of golf European parliament interior shot showing a plenary session in which the EU/US trade deal was greenlight, pending some conditions. European Parliament gives conditional approval to EU-US trade deal US President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC on 23 April 2025. A red baseball hat embroidered with "Make America Great Again" in white thread sits to the left of the document, which shows Trump's distinctive signature What tariffs has Trump introduced and why? The current level of tariffs charged on goods entering the US from the EU is 15%, under a deal negotiated last July. Trump said he had taken the decision after King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the US. The US president said he would lift restrictions on Scotland's ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon. The US and Brazilian presidents did not appear together publicly, but traded compliments after their talks. US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran is still in place. Leo, the first American pontiff, drew Trump's ire after becoming a firm critic of the war and the administration's hardline immigration policies. Other members of the Trump administration will step in to brief the press while Leavitt is on maternity leave. The two leaders have a strained relationship and will be closely watched for signs of a breakthrough over tariffs and other issues.