A joint statement issued by the European Union (EU) and the USA which establishes a framework for fair, balanced and mutually beneficial transactions and investment.
This provides for uniform duties to all imports of European products from the US, energy markets and US investment in the US of 1,390 trillion. euro by 2028, while for the first time European officials are referring to the purchase of US defense systems, indirectly but clearly under the EU and US agreement.
This Joint Declaration confirms and is based on the political agreement reached by President Von Der Leyen and President Trump on July 27, 2025. The joint statement determines the commitment of both sides to work to restore stability and predictability to trade and investment EU-EU-US investments. It is the first step in a process that will increase trade and improve market access to additional sectors. The joint statement comes after intensive negotiations led by EU Community Commissioner Maros Sefsovic with US counterparts, Commerce Minister Howard Lutnick and US Representative Jamieson Greer.
The new US duty regime over the EU determines in detail, the joint statement with a clear maximum, integrated, 15% duty rate For the overwhelming majority of EU exports, including strategic sectors such as cars, medicines, semiconductors and timber. Areas already subject to duties of 15% or higher, will not be subject to additional duties.
In terms of cars and car spare parts, the 15% US duties will be applied in parallel with the start of EU duties reduction procedures in relation to US products.
Additional, As of September 1, 2025, some product groups will benefit from a special regime, with only 15%duties implementation. These include unavailable natural resources (such as cork), all aircraft and aircraft spare parts, generic medicinal products and ingredients and chemical precursors. In addition, according to President Von Der Leyen’s statement on July 27, both sides agree to continue to work ambitiously to expand this regime to other product categories – a key result for the EU.
Recognizing the common challenges as well as the benefits of cooperation, the EU and the US intend to work to delineate their economies from surplus production capacity in the sectors of steel and aluminum and to work for secure supply chains between them, including a duty -maker and aluminum solution.
While the European Union remains convinced that high duties are harmful to the global economy, the result of negotiations avoids harmful escalation and creates a basis for continuous dialogue and the development of the transatlantic relationship, including areas of common strategic interest.
The transatlantic relationship is already the most valuable economic relationship in the world, worth 1.6 trillion euros a year. The agreement ensures this relationship and millions of jobs in the EU.
European Commission President Ursula von der Laien said: “The European Union will always seek the best possible results for its citizens and businesses. Faced with a difficult situation, we have achieved the desired results for our Member States and our industry and have restored clarity and consistency in transit trade. This is not the end of the process, we continue to work with the US to agree on more duties reductions, identify more areas of cooperation and create greater economic growth. At the same time, we continue to differentiate our international commercial partnerships by creating jobs and prosperity in the EU. “
Subsequent steps
The Commission will proceed quickly, with the support of EU Member States and the European Parliament, and in accordance with the relevant internal procedures, in the implementation of the main aspects of the agreement. The EU will also participate in the negotiation of a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade agreement with the US, in accordance with the agreed framework and applicable procedures.
Following the EU-US Political Agreement, the EU also suspended the EU restructuring measures approved on July 24, 2025.
Historical
The transatlantic partnership is a key artery of world trade and is the most important bilateral commercial and investment relationship in the world. The EU-USA trade has doubled over the last decade, exceeding 1.6 trillion euros in 2024, with € 867 billion in goods trade and € 817 billion in service trade. This corresponds to over 4.2 billion euros to goods and services that cross the Atlantic daily. This deep and integrated partnership is supported by mutual investment. In 2022, EU and US companies invested 5.3 trillion euros in their markets.
In the political agreement on July 27, 2025, Presidents Ursula von der Laien and Donald Trump agreed on the key parameters of the EU-US trade relationship.
H shefkovic statement
More specifically, during a press conference today (21.8.25) in Brussels, Community Commissioner, Shevkovic, said in relation to the US -EU agreement how she provides:
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“First, a 15% ceiling for the EU: This is the most favorable trade agreement that the US has expanded to any partner. A wide range of sectors – including strategic industries such as cars, medicines, semiconductors and timber – will benefit from this ceiling.
To become a little technicians:
Unlike other commercial partners, the 15% ceiling is not added to the existing duties of the most favored states. On the contrary, it includes them.
Where existing duties are already 15% or higher, no additional duties will apply.
This means that the EU will benefit from significantly lower actual duties than other countries. “
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“Secondly, we have secured significant exceptions – zero or almost zero tariffs – in important areas.
This includes unavailable natural resources, such as cork, then aircraft and aircraft components, generic medicines and ingredients and chemical precursors.
Again, this is just the first step – the EU and the US will explore the exception of additional sectors in the future. “
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“Thirdly, car duties and car accessories will be reduced to 15%, starting on August 1st, helping our automotive industry remain competitive worldwide.”
«Fourth, recognizing our common challenge and the benefits of joint action, the EU and the US intend to work together to protect our economies from surplus production capacity in the sectors of steel and aluminum. In practice, we will work on tariff solutions to ensure the security of supply in these critical sectors.
For our part, the Commission is taking specific measures to lift duties in all US industrial products and expanding market access to seafood and US agricultural products »
Markets LNG and investments of EUR 1,390 billion by 2028
He said that “the EU will also boost its energy security by supplying US LNG, Oil and Nuclear Energy products worth $ 750 billion by 2028.
In addition, the EU will enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities by securing a steady supply of artificial intelligence from the US for European Computer Centers worth at least $ 40 billion.
Our companies are providing $ 600 billion in new EU investments in US strategic sectors by 2028. “
Commitment and to increase defense supplies from the US
Sefkovic said that “we will increase defense supplies from the US to enhance interoperability with NATO.”
It is noted that it is The first official statement by a Commission that speaks of an increase in defense supplies by the US in the context of statements on the Joint Commercial and Investment Agreement US -EU.
He noted that “overall, this is a serious, strategic agreement. We fully support it. And we are committed to implementing it.
Let me say it clearly: the alternative – a trade war with high duties and political escalation – does not help anyone. Hurts jobs. It hurts growth. And it hurts businesses in both the EU and the US.
This is not theoretical, as nearly five million European jobs, including many media, would be in danger.
This agreement avoids this path. Builds confidence. Brings stability. And reinforces a vital transmitter bond – at a time when unity and cooperation are more important than ever. “