Italy’s Parmigiano Reggiano cheese could face a tariff increase. (muratkoc/Getty Images)
February 25, 2026 1:09 PM, EST
President Donald Trump’s new tariff program will leave about 4.2 billion euros ($5 billion) of European Union exports facing levies above the 15% ceiling agreed in the EU-U.S. trade accord.
Trump’s new policy will increase duties above the maximum allowed level on European exports including cheese, butter, some agricultural products as well as several plastics, textiles and chemicals, according to people familiar with the EU’s assessment of the rates.
Other goods such as some spirits will face rates lower than 15%, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump’s use of an emergency powers law to impose his so-called reciprocal tariffs around the world, he announced a new 10% global levy, which he then threatened to increase to 15% but hasn’t yet implemented.
The tariff is on top of so-called most-favored nation rates and can stay in place for five months.
When asked for comment, European Commission Spokesperson Olof Gill repeated a statement from Feb. 24, that “EU products must continue to benefit from the most competitive treatment, with no increases in tariffs beyond the clear and all-inclusive ceiling previously agreed.”
Statement by @EU_Commission on the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of the United States. https://t.co/64R6vZ2dAl
— Olof Gill (@olofgill) February 22, 2026
Gill added that under the new U.S. tariff regime, about 7% of EU exports would be above the 15% maximum limit.
The EU-U.S. trade deal — struck last summer between Trump and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen — would impose a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the U.S. while removing tariffs on many American goods heading into the bloc.
The U.S. will also continue to impose a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminum imports, while cars will continue to face tariffs of 15% as part of separate sector-specific arrangements.
The EU’s trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, had multiple conversations with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to discuss the impact of the Supreme Court decision. EU ambassadors were briefed on these discussions earlier this week.
Both the commission and member states are keen to stick with the EU-U.S. agreement negotiated last summer, despite the current uncertainty, according to the people.
Greer said it will take some more time for the U.S. to comply with the accord.
“We’re gonna have to have a couple, three months to make sure that we rejigger the tariffs in a way that comply with our end of the deal,” Greer said on Bloomberg Television on Feb. 25. “And we expect the EU and U.K. to hold up their end of the bargain too.”
