Trump’s 30% tariffs would ‘practically prohibit’ EU-US trade, says Šefčovič

EU trade chief says his team felt ‘very close’ to an agreement before US president’s comments at the weekend

European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič arrives for a meeting of EU trade ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Donald Trump’s threat to impose 30% tariffs on European goods would “practically prohibit” transatlantic trade, the EU’s lead negotiator with the US has said.

Arriving for talks with European ministers in Brussels, Maroš Šefčovič, the EU trade commissioner, said a tariff of 30% or more would have a huge impact, making it “almost impossible to continue” current transatlantic trade, which is worth €4.4bn a day.