President Donald Trump speaks to journalists at Palm Beach International Airport on May 2, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Roberto Schmidt / Getty Images)
By Michael Austin May 9, 2026 at 10:00am
President Donald Trump hiked tariffs on car imports from Europe after contending that European Union nations are not abiding by a trade deal reached last summer.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that he is “pleased to announce that, based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States,” according to a report from Politico.
“The Tariff will be increased to 25%,” he revealed.
🚨 JUST IN: In a massive FAFO moment, President Trump is SLAPPING 25% tariffs on the European Union’s cars and trucks after they failed to abide by the trade deal
Trump is going HARDBALL on the EU!
“It is fully understood and agreed that, if they produce Cars and Trucks in… pic.twitter.com/nIhDfnRix6
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 1, 2026
The current tariff on European cars and car parts currently sits at 15 percent, Politico noted.
That rate was reached in July as a component of the Turnberry Deal, which was negotiated at Trump’s property in Scotland.
As part of the deal, the European Union was supposed to cut tariffs on American industrial products, as well as buy $750 billion in energy and invest $600 billion.
Trump said in his Truth Social post that American car plants “will be opening soon” and remarked that more funds are being invested into the projects.
🚨 President Trump wants to punish the HELL out the European Union for reneging on the trade deal
25% tariff on European cars incoming
He is NOT going to allow the EU to take advantage of us pic.twitter.com/Z3UQMMTuHZ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 1, 2026
“It is fully understood and agreed that, if they produce Cars and Trucks in U.S.A. Plants, there will be NO TARIFF,” his post continued, per a report from ABC News.
“Many Automobile and Truck Plants are currently under construction, with over 100 Billion Dollars being invested, A RECORD in the History of Car and Truck Manufacturing,” Trump added in his post.
“These Plants, staffed with American Workers, will be opening soon,” he continued.
“There has never been anything like what is happening in America today! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
ABC News noted that the tariff hike appears to be occurring under Section 232, which allows Trump to “adjust the imports” brought into the United States in a way that threatens national security.
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Michael wrote for several entertainment news outlets before joining The Western Journal in 2020. He now serves as Managing Editor, which involves managing the editorial team and operations, guiding the publication’s editorial direction, and writing, editing, curating and assigning stories as needed.
Birthplace
Ames, Iowa
Nationality
American
Education
Iowa State University
Topics of Expertise
Cultural Politics, Pop Culture, Christian-Conservatism
