EU Agrees On 15 Percent Tariff With US, Von Der Leyen: Create Certainty, Give Stability

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. (Wikimedia Commons/Dati Bendo)

JAKARTA - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the trade deal reached with the United States on Sunday the "best tariff we can get" and should not be underestimated given the previous 30 percent tariff threat against the European Union.

The 15 percent base rate for European Union goods imported into the United States will apply to most goods including cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceutical products, von der Leyen said.

Meanwhile, the zero rate for zero has been agreed for certain strategic products, including aircraft and their spare parts, certain chemicals, and certain generic drugs. No decisions have yet been made regarding tariffs for wine and alcoholic beverages," he added.

When asked if he thought the 15 percent rate was a good deal for European automakers, von der Leyen told reporters: "15 percent should not be underestimated, but it is the best tariff we can get," quoted from Reuters July 28.

This agreement was announced by Von der Leyen with US President Donald Trump on the luxury golf course belonging to the Republican politician in western Scotland, after an hour-long meeting pushing for the agreement that was fought so hard that it was completed.

"I think this is the biggest deal ever made," President Trump told reporters.

The deal, which President Trump says requires US $ 750 billion in energy purchases by the European Union in the coming years and the purchase of weapons worth "100s of billions of dollars", is likely to be good news for a number of EU companies, including Airbus, Mercedes-Benz, and Novo Nordisk, if all the details are in line.

The European Union is committed to buying LNG and US$750 billion worth of nuclear fuel for three years. "We still have too many LNGs of Russia coming in through the back door," he said.

The European Commission has proposed a gradual cessation of all Russian gas imports by January 1, 2028.

"Today's agreement creates certainty in times of uncertainty, providing stability and predictability," von der Leyen told reporters before leaving Scotland.