The Turnberry agreement remains under review by EU governments and legislators before it can be activated within the EU, while the Commission has cautioned that any US measures contradicting the pact could prompt it to evaluate every possible response.
European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is set to meet with his American counterpart Jamieson Greer on Tuesday, amid increasing friction between the European Union and the US following President Donald Trump’s indication of a potential 25% tariff on vehicles imported from the EU.
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The talks, planned ahead of the G7 trade ministers’ summit in Paris, were arranged prior to Trump’s recent tariff announcement, Euronews has been informed.
Nevertheless, these discussions offer both parties a chance to reduce tensions following Trump’s signal of actions that could violate the EU-US trade accord concluded last summer in Turnberry, Scotland, by Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which establishes a maximum 15% tariff on EU products entering the US market.
On Monday, the Commission aimed to diffuse concerns.
“This is not the first occasion we have encountered such threats,” said Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier, emphasizing, “We remain composed, concentrating on applying the joint statement for the benefit of our businesses and citizens.”
Trump’s tariff warning emerged after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised the US’s strategy on the conflict in Iran and followed Washington’s announcement to withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany, adding strain to transatlantic relations.
German MEP Bernd Lange (S&D), chairing the European Parliament’s trade committee, explained to Euronews on Monday that Trump’s threats targeted specifically German automobile manufacturers.
«All possibilities are being considered»
The US president also faulted the EU for allegedly delaying implementation of the agreement.
“Since its inception, we have been executing the Joint Statement [the EU-US deal] and fully committed to meeting our mutual obligations,” Regnier stated, noting that the EU seeks consistency in EU-US trade relations.
The Turnberry accord is presently undergoing review by EU countries and legislators before it may become effective within the EU. Lawmakers still need to finalize the framework for gradually removing EU tariffs on US imports, as specified in the deal.
Meanwhile, MEPs have introduced protective measures to ensure the EU’s adherence is matched by the US and to shield the bloc from potential American retaliations in the future.
On Monday, the Commission reiterated that should the US enact policies deemed “incompatible” with the trade agreement, all “options” remain on the table.
Last year, amid trade disputes triggered by Trump’s return to office, the EU prepared retaliatory measures targeting US goods worth €95 billion, though these measures were later put on hold.
At that time, several EU member states also called for deploying the bloc’s anti-coercion mechanism, which empowers the EU to counter economic pressures from external countries by employing various trade defence tools, including restrictions related to licenses and intellectual property rights.