The European Union and the United States have reached a trade agreement that will see a 15% base tariff applied to most EU goods entering the US market, in a move EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described as the “best tariff we can get” following earlier threats of significantly higher duties.
The accord, announced Sunday after a meeting between von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump at the latter’s golf resort in western Scotland, sets a new framework for transatlantic trade covering goods such as automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Certain strategic items, including aircraft and spare parts, specific chemicals, and some generic medicines, will be exempt from tariffs altogether under a “zero for zero” arrangement.
“15 percent should not be underestimated, but it is the best tariff we can get,” von der Leyen told reporters, noting that the agreement avoids the 30% tariff initially floated by Washington.
No final decision has yet been reached on duties for wine and other alcoholic beverages.
President Trump, speaking alongside von der Leyen after the one-hour negotiation, characterized the outcome as a major achievement. “I think this is the biggest deal ever made,” he said, underscoring the scale of upcoming EU purchases from the US, which he claimed include $750 billion in energy and “hundreds of billions” in defense equipment over the coming years.
While specific details remain under review, the agreement may benefit several major European companies such as Airbus, Mercedes-Benz, and Novo Nordisk. The EU also reaffirmed its commitment to reducing its dependency on Russian energy supplies, with plans to phase out all Russian gas imports by January 1, 2028.
“Today’s agreement creates certainty in times of uncertainty, providing stability and predictability,” von der Leyen said before departing Scotland.