Bernd Lange, who leads the European Parliament's trade committee, issued a sharp rebuke of President Donald Trump's announcement that U.S. tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union will rise to 25% next week.
Lange said the action underscores a troubling pattern in U.S. behavior toward its closest economic partners. "This latest move demonstrates just how unreliable the U.S. side is," he said. "This is no way to treat close partners. Now we can only respond with the utmost clarity and firmness, drawing on the strength of our position."
The tariff increase, announced by the U.S. president on Friday, targets vehicles imported from EU member states. According to the announcement, vehicles produced at U.S. plants will not be subject to the new levy.
Addressing the broader context of the dispute, Lange affirmed that the European Union is abiding by the terms of the Scotland Deal, while asserting that the United States has repeatedly breached the agreement. He indicated that the European Parliament is actively preparing a legislative response and has already developed a parliamentary position. Lawmakers aim to complete that process in June.
The European Parliament's effort to formalize its stance and draft legislation reflects an intent to reply in a coordinated and firm manner, drawing on the bloc's institutional mechanisms. Lange's comments framed the tariff move not merely as a commercial adjustment but as a strain on the reliability of transatlantic relations.
For businesses and markets, the tariff applies only to vehicles imported into the United States from the EU; cars and trucks assembled in U.S. facilities will remain exempt from the new duties. That distinction was highlighted in the announcement of the tariff change.
As the parliamentary timetable advances toward the June target, the European Parliament will continue to refine its legislative approach and its official position in response to the tariff escalation.