US-EU deal sets a 15% tariff on most goods from Europe

The tariff rate is a reduction from the 30% the Trump administration threatened on the EU July 12

As part of the deal, the European Union has agreed to purchase $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S., and invest $600 billion more in the U.S. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

The Trump administration and the 27-nation European Union agreed on Sunday to a trade framework setting a 15% tariff on most imported goods from Europe, while goods from the U.S. will face zero tariffs.

U.S. exports to the EU include fuels, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and aircraft. The EU, in turn, exports cars, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, semiconductors and machinery to the U.S.

As part of the deal, the EU agreed to purchase $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S., and invest $600 billion more in the U.S.

“All of the countries will be opened up to trade with the United States at zero tariffs, and they’re agreeing to purchase a vast amount of military equipment,” President Donald Trump said, according to CNN

The agreement, which has yet to be finalized, staves off the 30% tariffs Trump had threatened to impose on the EU earlier this month, as well as high import duties on U.S. goods into EU countries.

Trade between the U.S. and EU totaled around $975 billion worth of goods in 2024, according to Commerce Department data. 

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said the deal creates certainty for companies on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Today with this deal, we are creating more predictability for our businesses,” von der Leyen said in a news release. “In these turbulent times, this is necessary for our companies to be able to plan and invest. We are ensuring immediate tariff relief. This will have a clear impact on the bottom lines of our companies.”

The deal comes after the U.S. announced trade agreements with Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom.

The Trump administration has yet to reach final trade agreements with the top three U.S. trade partners — Mexico, Canada and China.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Noi Mahoney

Noi Mahoney is a Texas-based journalist who covers cross-border trade, logistics and supply chains for FreightWaves. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English in 1998. Mahoney has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working for newspapers in Maryland and Texas. Contact nmahoney@freightwaves.com