EU Optimistic of Being Able to Cope with 10 Percent US Tariffs, but Worried about Rising Again

European officials believe the European Union could face new tariffs of 10 percent on exports to the United States, but they are concerned that the tariffs could rise much higher.

The US Trade Representative's office indicated that Washington wants to impose additional tariffs of 10 percent and 12.5 percent on goods from more than 60 countries that, according to the US, are not doing enough to combat the use of forced labor.

Politico reported that European officials privately said the EU could still survive with a 10 percent tariff. However, they are concerned that the next trade investigation conducted by the US could lead to the imposition of much higher tariffs.

An official said Washington's proposal of a 10 percent tariff was "more or less" acceptable, but the EU was still waiting for further details.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters the move had indeed been planned by the United States in recent months.

"This puts us in a position where, once again, we will still have the best trade deal compared to other US trading partners," Carney said, quoted by Sputnik, Thursday, June 4.

In 2025, US President Donald Trump imposed additional import tariffs on goods from all countries. However, the US Supreme Court ruled that Trump did not have the authority to do so because decisions related to trade must be made exclusively by Congress.

As a result of the ruling, the US federal budget is now required to return about 159 billion US dollars that have been collected from the import duties.