EU-US Joint Statement Sets 15% Tariff Ceiling for Most EU Exports

What the statement provides

The statement sets out the new US tariff regime for EU goods, with a maximum, all-inclusive tariff of 15% for the vast majority of EU exports, including cars, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber. Products already subject to US most favoured nation (MFN) tariffs of 15% or more will not face additional duties. For cars and car parts, the 15% ceiling applies in tandem with the EU starting procedures to reduce its tariffs on US products.

From 1 September 2025 a number of product groups will benefit from a special regime under which only MFN tariffs apply. These include unavailable natural resources such as cork, all aircraft and aircraft parts, and generic pharmaceuticals with their ingredients and chemical precursors. Both sides intend to work on extending this treatment to other products, and on a tariff rate quota for EU steel and aluminium and their derivatives.

Context

The Commission described transatlantic trade as worth €1.6 trillion a year. Following the July political agreement, the EU suspended from 7 August the rebalancing measures it had adopted on 24 July 2025. The Commission's questions and answers explain how the framework will be implemented.

What happens next

The Commission will now take forward the steps needed to implement the main elements of the deal, with the support of Member States and the European Parliament, and will negotiate an agreement on fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade with the United States. Exporters, importers and companies with transatlantic supply chains should review product classifications against the categories in the statement and track the dates from which the reduced rates apply.

Sources

• European Commission press corner: EU and US publish Joint Statement on transatlantic trade and investment
• European Commission press corner: Questions and answers on the EU-US Joint Statement