European officials say they have received assurances that Washington will not raise the universal tariff applied to EU exports from 10% to 15% despite public comments from U.S. officials suggesting a higher rate could be imminent. The confirmation, according to people familiar with the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicates the 10% universal levy will remain in force for the bloc's shipments to the United States.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier signaled that a 15% universal tariff would likely take effect this week, a remark that prompted concern in Brussels. EU officials, speaking to those same anonymous contacts, say they were subsequently told the U.S. intends to keep the existing 10% rate in place for now.
Representatives of the U.S. Trade Representative's office and of the European Commission, the EU's trade authority, both declined to comment when asked for confirmation of the assurances.
The 10% universal levy was introduced last month after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down much of the administration's prior tariff regime. At the time that levy was enacted, the U.S. president warned a 15% tariff could be imposed, but no such increase has been introduced to date.
Separately, negotiators from the United States and the European Union concluded a trade arrangement last summer that would, if implemented, set a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the United States while eliminating a range of duties on American goods entering the EU. That agreement has not yet received ratification by the EU.
The situation leaves the current 10% levy as the standing measure for EU exports to the United States, per the assurances reported by officials familiar with the matter. Beyond those assurances, public confirmation from the trade offices has not been forthcoming.
Context note - The information about the assurances came from people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Other official channels have not provided a public statement to confirm or refute those accounts.