Overview

• Washington and Brussels published a joint text confirming a uniform 15% U.S. duty on European imports including automobiles and pharmaceutical products.
• The agreement omits an exemption for wines and spirits, prompting sharp pushback from European producers and a pledge by France to press for carve‑outs.
• The 15% car tariff is intended to replace a current 27.5% rate, well above the roughly 4.8% level before President Trump’s return to office.
• The package includes major EU economic pledges to the United States, with $750 billion in energy purchases and $600 billion in additional investments.
• EU officials say some reciprocal duties will be lifted on strategic goods, while Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic signaled talks could continue without promising near‑term relief for wine and spirits.