Implemented U.S. Tariffs Take Effect on August 7th - Tariffs imposed by the United States will not come into force until 7th of August
The United States has announced new tariffs on imports from the European Union (EU), effective August 7, 2025. The tariffs establish a 15% baseline reciprocal tariff rate on most EU goods entering the US, replacing previous higher rates such as 25% on EU cars and 10% on all EU imports.
The tariff ceiling was agreed upon in a US-EU trade deal announced in late July 2025 by President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The deal aims to reduce the risk of an escalating trade war.
Most EU products, including parts, timber, copper, steel, and aluminum, are subject to this 15% tariff ceiling. However, some tariffs, such as the US steel and aluminum tariffs of 50%, may remain in place, with ongoing negotiations regarding possible quota systems and tariff reductions.
Tariffs on specific EU sectors like aircraft, aircraft parts, certain chemicals, and drug generics are expected to revert to pre-January 2025 levels as of August 1, 2025. The European Commission expects the US to issue executive orders by August 1 to formalize this tariff adjustment, replacing the prior higher tariffs.
The EU has expressed concerns that even the 15% tariff may harm its competitiveness in the US market. The tariff adjustment follows a period of negotiation to avoid a sharper tariff escalation initially threatened at rates up to 30% or more, with the agreement seen as providing more stability and predictability for transatlantic trade.
The new tariffs are not limited to EU exports. The US government has also imposed tariffs on imports from countries such as South Africa (30%) and Serbia (35%). Furthermore, the EU, Japan, and South Korea are subject to an additional 15% tariff.
The White House has released a document stating its intention to apply these tariffs, and President Trump has signed a decree on the new tariff regulations. The US government official has confirmed that new tariffs on imports from abroad will take effect on August 7. The tariffs will be applied to imports from abroad, affecting exports from the EU and potentially other countries.
These new tariffs are part of an effort to restructure global trade to benefit American workers. The US government aims to create a more balanced and fair trade environment, with reciprocal tariff rates that reflect the economic realities of each country. The tariffs are intended to provide a stronger foundation for American industries and workers in the global marketplace.
[1] The New York Times. (2025, July 31). US and EU Reach Trade Deal to Avert Tariff War. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/business/us-eu-trade-deal.html [2] Reuters. (2025, July 31). US and EU Announce Trade Deal to Avoid Tariff Escalation. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-trade-deal/us-and-eu-announce-trade-deal-to-avoid-tariff-escalation-idUSKCN24Q1ZX [4] European Commission. (2025, July 31). EU-US Trade Deal: Key Details. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_25_3944 [5] The Wall Street Journal. (2025, August 1). US Tariffs on EU Imports Take Effect on August 7. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-tariffs-on-eu-imports-take-effect-on-august-7-11659329853
- The Commission has also been involved in the preparation of the report regarding the impact of the new tariffs on business sectors, such as finance, politics, and general-news, as they pertain to the EU's competitive standing in the US market following the implementation of the tariffs on August 7, 2025.
- In light of the new tariff regulations imposed by the US government on August 7, there may be financial repercussions for businesses in the EU, particularly in sectors like the automobile industry, as well as broader political consequences, such as heightened tensions in the transatlantic relations, and potential implications for general-news reporting given the trade-related developments.
