EU says it will accept no increase in U.S. tariffs after Supreme Court ruling: 'a deal is a deal'

The European Commission demanded on Sunday that the United States adhere to the terms of an EU-U.S. trade deal reached last year. This came after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Donald Trump's global tariffs, prompting him to respond with new across-the-board levies.

The European Commission, acting on behalf of the EU's 27 member states in trade policy negotiations, stated that Washington must offer "full clarity" regarding its intended steps after the court's decision.

After the court struck down Trump's global tariffs on Friday, the U.S. president announced temporary, across-the-board tariffs of 10 percent, which he then hiked to 15 percent a day later.

"The current situation is not conducive to delivering 'fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial' transatlantic trade and investment, as agreed to by both sides" in the joint statement setting out the terms of last year's trade agreement, the Commission said. "A deal is a deal."

These remarks carried a significantly sharper tone compared with the Commission's initial reaction on Friday, which had merely noted it was reviewing the Supreme Court ruling and maintaining dialogue with the U.S. administration.

Last year's trade deal set a 15-percent U.S. tariff rate for most EU goods, apart from those covered by other sectoral tariffs such as steel. It also allowed zero tariffs on some products such as aircraft and spare parts. The EU agreed to remove import duties on many U.S. goods and withdrew a threat to retaliate with higher levies.

"In particular, EU products must continue to benefit from the most competitive treatment, with no increases in tariffs beyond the clear and all-inclusive ceiling previously agreed," the EU executive said, adding that unpredictable tariffs were disruptive and undermined confidence across global markets.

It said that EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic had discussed the issue with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Saturday.

(With input from Reuters)