The European Union has escalated pressure on Washington to honor a 2025 bilateral trade agreement after the U.S. introduced sweeping new tariffs this week. The move follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision invalidating former President Donald Trump's earlier global tariffs, prompting the administration to implement temporary 10% levies on February 20, later raised to 15% the following day.
"A deal is a deal," stated the European Commission in its strongest rebuke to date, emphasizing that the current measures undermine commitments to "fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial" transatlantic trade. This marks a significant hardening of position from the bloc's initial February 19 statement about monitoring developments.
Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Commerce issued a pointed response to the tariff measures: "We urge the U.S. to immediately cancel these unilateral actions that violate international trade rules. Protectionism benefits no one – cooperation remains the only path forward." Analysts suggest Beijing's firm stance reflects growing concerns about potential ripple effects across Asian export economies.
The developments come at a delicate moment for global supply chains, with business leaders warning that prolonged trade uncertainty could impact post-pandemic recovery efforts in key Asian manufacturing hubs. Financial markets across the region showed mixed reactions to the news, with export-heavy industries experiencing notable volatility.
