EU to Seek Clarification from US on New Tariffs

The European Union will seek clarification from the United States regarding the imposition of new tariffs on European products, said the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.

“We have a deal with America and we have honoured that deal, from our side. That is why this is an unpleasant surprise that the deal is not being honoured,” Kallas told Reuters on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting in Manila, the Philippines, on Friday.

The United States, under the administration of President Donald Trump, announced on Friday the imposition of new tariffs of 10 per cent and 12.5 per cent on goods from 60 trading partners, including the European Union.

“Who can keep up with tariffs that are constantly being imposed and withdrawn? No, we did not expect this,” said Kallas.

The EU’s chief diplomat rejected American accusations of weaknesses in EU legislation concerning the control of forced labour. Kallas described the US allegations as baseless.

“If you compare our labour laws with those in the United States, we have paid leave, we have very good working conditions for our employees. So the accusation is really unfounded,” she said.

In August 2025, the US and the EU announced a framework trade agreement requiring the EU to eliminate tariffs on all industrial goods from the US, while the US would continue to apply a 15 per cent tariff on most European goods.

Source: Sputnik