U.S. sets 15% tariffs on cars and components
It may not be the happiest outcome, but a deal was struck and remains in place. U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed tariffs on the European Union at 15% starting August 1, 2025. The Federal Register, the official U.S. government journal, has now published the proposals and federal regulations, making the agreement between Washington and Brussels legally binding.
Scope of the tariffs
The notice specifies that the U.S. customs duty applies to certain EU-made goods, including cars and the entire supply chain of automotive components. The 15% tariff also covers “imports of automobiles and automobile parts into the United States, as well as natural resources not available domestically such as cork, all aircraft and aircraft parts, and generic pharmaceuticals including their ingredients and chemical precursors.”
For goods “entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption,” the 15% duty will apply starting September 1, 2025. However, the August 1, 2025 deadline stands for cars and automotive parts. The official document clarifies that “the single and comprehensive U.S. tariff ceiling is set at 15% for EU goods, a maximum that also applies to passenger cars and automotive parts.”
Italy’s position
After months of tough negotiations, with Europe under significant pressure, President Trump’s executive order of September 5 has now been enacted. Italy is not fully satisfied, but Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani remains cautiously optimistic. “An agreement has been reached for the auto sector with tariffs at 15%. We will see what can be done for steel and other sectors. Step by step, we are trying to secure the best possible outcomes for our economy,” Tajani said during a meeting with companies at the Italian consulate in New York, on the sidelines of United Nations discussions.