By Kim Mackrael
The U.S. is set to lower European car tariffs to 15%, according to a government filing Wednesday, following through on a pledge that stems from the broader US-EU trade deal announced in July.
U.S. officials told the European Union last month that they would lower auto tariffs from the current level of 27.5% once the bloc introduces legislation to cut levies for a range of American products.
The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, introduced its legislation late last month and has been waiting for the U.S. to lower auto tariffs.
In a government notice filed Wednesday, the U.S. said it would lower the levy on cars imported from the EU effective Aug. 1. The notice is slated for official publication in the Federal Register on Thursday.
The notice also confirms exemptions for European aircraft and aircraft parts, generic pharmaceuticals and certain natural resources from tariffs the Trump administration has introduced in recent months.
Andrew Puzder, the new U.S. ambassador to the EU, told The Wall Street Journal in an interview earlier Wednesday that the auto tariffs change was "something that the EU needs to see."
Puzder said the decision to lower auto tariffs before the EU's legislation has passed is a gesture of good faith and a sign of how the U.S. plans to approach its ongoing trade talks with the bloc-including on steel and aluminum. The EU currently faces 50% tariffs on those metals and on the steel and aluminum content in many manufactured products.
"We want to go forward in a very friendly and conciliatory manner of trying to come up with an agreement on issues that remain," Puzder said.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 24, 2025 13:06 ET (17:06 GMT)
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