U.S.-EU Strike Landmark 15% Tariff Deal, Averting Global Trade War

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

EDINBURGH, Scotland — The United States and the European Union have struck a breakthrough trade agreement, capping most import tariffs at 15% and heading off a potential transatlantic trade war that threatened to disrupt global markets.

The deal was finalized after a brief but impactful meeting between President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. With just days remaining before a U.S.-imposed tariff deadline, the agreement signals economic cooperation rather than confrontation between the two economic powerhouses.

Key Features of the U.S.-EU Trade Agreement

• 15% uniform tariff on most imports/exports, including vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors.
• EU will purchase $750 billion in U.S. energy products over the next three years.
• An additional $600 billion in European investments committed to U.S. sectors.
• Zero tariffs on key strategic goods such as:
  • Aircraft and aircraft components
  • Semiconductor machinery
  • Generic medicines
  • Critical raw materials
  • Certain agricultural and natural resource products

“We’ve put a clear ceiling at 15%,” von der Leyen explained, adding that further negotiations will aim to expand the list of zero-tariff items.

With Trump threatening to implement a 30% tariff across EU imports starting August 1, analysts feared a sharp escalation in trade hostilities. The agreement halts that move — at least temporarily — and paves the way for more structured dialogue.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had previously stated the deadline was firm. “No more grace periods. Customs will start collecting August 1,” he warned before the announcement.

Although von der Leyen has the authority to negotiate trade deals, the agreement still needs ratification by EU member states and European Parliament approval.

“This is a framework,” von der Leyen said. “Now we move to technical and legal details.”

Trump, for his part, emphasized that the deal levels the playing field. “This ends what has been a very one-sided transaction,” he told reporters.

The surprise meeting took place during Trump’s five-day visit to Scotland, which has included daily rounds of golf at Turnberry. He was accompanied by sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., and will next travel to Aberdeen to open a new golf course under the Trump brand.

Despite scattered protests, small crowds gathered with American flags and cheered the former president. A sign criticizing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who plans his own Turnberry meeting with Trump, was also seen near the course.

Had the talks failed, the EU was poised to hit hundreds of U.S. goods with retaliatory tariffs. Products at risk included:

• American beef
• Car parts
• Boeing aircraft
• U.S. wines and beers

European products like French cheese, Italian fashion, and German electronics could have also seen steep price hikes in the U.S.

“I think it’s great we made a deal instead of playing games,” Trump concluded. “This might be the biggest trade deal ever made.”

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