The European Commission has called on the United States to adhere strictly to the terms of an EU-U.S. trade deal reached last year, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down former President Donald Trump’s global tariff programme. The court ruling prompted Trump to announce a temporary 10% across-the-board tariff, which he quickly raised to 15%, prompting sharp criticism from Brussels.
The EU, which negotiates trade policy on behalf of its 27 member states, stressed that “a deal is a deal,” warning that unpredictable tariff increases undermine global market confidence and disrupt transatlantic commerce. The trade agreement originally set U.S. tariffs for most EU goods at 15%, with zero tariffs for selected products such as aircraft and spare parts, while the EU removed duties on many U.S. exports and dropped plans for retaliatory measures. The Commission demanded “full clarity” on Washington’s next steps, and Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has already discussed the matter with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The developments also have implications beyond the EU. Switzerland, which negotiated a separate deal with Washington to reduce tariffs on Swiss exports from 39% to 15%, faces the likelihood that U.S. levies may remain in place permanently. Helene Budliger Artieda of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) indicated that the U.S. administration could maintain tariffs through alternative legal avenues, including national security claims or allegations of unfair trade practices. Switzerland’s framework agreement included commitments by Swiss companies to invest $200 billion in the U.S. by 2028, with negotiations on finalising the deal ongoing.
Both the EU and Switzerland emphasize that the new U.S. tariff moves threaten the stability and predictability of international trade. Brussels’ firm stance signals a readiness to defend agreed terms, while Switzerland prepares for continued tariffs despite court rulings, reflecting the broader challenges of navigating U.S. trade policy in the post-Trump era.
