President Trump said he closed a trade deal with the European Union on Sunday (27), after talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his golf course on the west coast of Scotland.
Under the deal, most EU exports to the United States will face a 15% tariff, below the 30% tariff the president had most recently threatened. The EU agreed to accept US imports tariff-free, according to Trump.
“This was the big deal. This is the biggest of all,” Trump told reporters.
The details of the deal have not yet been disclosed. Trump said steel and aluminum would not be included in the deal, stating that tariffs on those products are “a global issue that remains as is” — and said pharmaceuticals would also not be included.
But von der Leyen later told reporters that the 15% rate would apply to pharmaceuticals and said the United States would create a quota for European steel and reduce tariffs. She also said there would be “zero-for-zero tariffs” on aircraft and parts, semiconductor equipment, some agricultural products, and other “strategic products”.
The EU agreed to buy $750 billion in US energy as part of the deal and invest $600 billion in the United States, Trump said.
The deal was struck after a crucial meeting between Trump and von der Leyen, held while the president visits Scotland to play golf at his resorts across the country. Trump had set a deadline until Friday for the 30% tariffs on EU imported products to take effect.
The EU is one of the largest trading partners of the United States. Former EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told NPR that it is one of the world’s most important trading relationships, with about $4 billion in trade per day.
Trump blames Hamas for hunger in Gaza
Trump was also asked by reporters if Israel should do more to allow food into Gaza. He did not answer the question directly, but said the United States had donated $60 million in aid in recent weeks and reiterated the complaint that the aid had not been acknowledged.
“No one donated but us. And no one said: ‘Wow, thank you very much.’ It would be nice to have at least an acknowledgment,” Trump said.
He added that “the US will donate more aid to Gaza, but we would like other countries to participate”.
Trump said the images of desperation in Gaza were “terrible,” but blamed Hamas. “If we weren’t there, I think people would have starved to death. Frankly, they would have starved to death. And it’s not like they’re eating well, but a lot of that food is being stolen by Hamas,” he said.
Trump also said he expects to discuss the situation in Gaza when he meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday.
Source: npr.org by Franco Ordoñez, Fatima Al-Kassab