President Trump said he closed a trade deal with the European Union on Sunday, 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, lower than the 30% tariff the president had recently threatened. The EU agreed to accept US imports without tariffs, according to Trump.
“This was the big one. This is the biggest of all,” Trump said to reporters.
Details of the deal will still be provided. Trump said steel and aluminum will not be included in the deal, stating that tariffs on those are a “world thing that remains as is” — and said pharmaceuticals will also not be included.
But von der Leyen later told reporters that the 15% rate would apply to pharmaceuticals and that the United States would create a quota for European steel and reduce tariff rates. 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 energy from the US as part of the deal and invest $600 billion in the United States, Trump said.
The deal comes after a crucial meeting between Trump and von der Leyen, slotted in while the president visits Scotland to play golf at his resorts across the country. Trump had set a Friday deadline for 30% tariffs on EU imported goods to take effect.
The EU is one of the largest US trading partners. Former EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told NPR that it is one of the world’s most important trading relationships, totaling 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 gave $60 million in aid in recent weeks and reiterated a complaint that the aid was not acknowledged.
“No one gave like we did. And no one said, ‘Wow, thank you very much.’ It would be nice to have at least a thank you,” Trump said.
He added that “the US will do more aid for Gaza, but we would like other countries to participate”.
Trump said images of desperation from 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