EU says Trump’s tariffs barely touch European companies — US importers foot the bill

Donald Trump’s 15-percent trade tariff impact on European companies over the past year is negligible, according to a senior EU official. “As a whole, European exports have not really see an impact of the tariffs that the US has imposed,” said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Briefing reporters at an off-the-record event in Brussels on Monday (20 July), the official noted that exports to the US have instead increased since the EU-US trade deal signed 27 July last year. Trump has brandished tariffs and their threats around the world as leverage to get his way, often triggering wider disputes and trade wars. But the damage to EU firms appears minimum, if at all. “The people who pay US tariffs are the importers,” said second EU official. “The question of these tariffs is a question between US importers and US authorities,” he added. To read this story, log in or subscribeEnjoy access to all articles and 25 years of archives, comment and gift articles. Become a subscriber for as low as €1,75 per week.Read without limitsAlready a subscriber? Login