Trump announced the introduction of 25% tariffs on cars and trucks from the EU starting May 1, 2026. He says this is simply fulfilling the terms of a trade deal signed in the summer of 2025.
But the discussion quickly went beyond economics. Increasingly, there is speculation that it may not just be about trade, but also about Europe’s position on Iran.
The tariffs will take effect as early as next week. However, cars assembled in the USA are not subject to the restrictions.
The greatest risks from these measures fall on Germany and Italy. Brussels has not yet confirmed whether there will be a response to the Trump administration’s move.
Trump Explains Tariffs by Dispute Over Trade Deal
Trump explained the tariff increase simply: in his view, the EU did not fulfill the conditions of the previously agreed deal. This refers to the deal concluded in July 2025 under the so-called Turnberry framework. At that time, the USA, on the contrary, reduced tariffs on European cars to 15%.
Now the position has changed. In his post on Truth Social he wrote that the rate will rise to 25%. He separately emphasized that if cars are assembled in the USA, there will be no tariffs.
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Germany is hit the hardest. Almost a quarter of its car exports go to the USA, and brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen are highly dependent on this market.
Italy is in a less vulnerable position, but is not completely unaffected. Ferrari and Stellantis will also feel the effect, though not on the same scale.
Trump is betting on domestic production. He specifically emphasized that more than $100 billion has been invested in American auto plants recently. And, essentially, he makes it clear: the tariffs are meant to push companies to move production to the USA.
Are Trump’s Tariffs Linked to Pressure on Europe Over Iran?
After the tariffs were announced, the discussion quickly shifted to politics. Some participants believe that it is not just about trade, but about USA pressure on Europe over Iran.
There are already sharp opinions online. Some users directly link Trump’s decision to the refusal of European countries to support the USA in the conflict around Iran.
And this is not entirely baseless. Most EU countries really did not support Washington’s calls for tougher action, especially in the context of the Strait of Hormuz.
Germany, for example, explicitly ruled out military involvement. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said this is not their war.
France took a restrained position and also did not support a forceful option. Macron said directly that such ideas look unrealistic and generally criticized the USA’s approach.
Britain and other allies are of the same mind. No one is going beyond diplomacy, and direct participation in hostilities is not even being discussed.
Within NATO things are also divided. There is no unified position, and no joint operation was agreed upon. Moreover, according to reports, some countries have started to close their bases and restrict flights for operations related to Iran.
Against this backdrop, completely different signals are coming from Washington . Trump did not hide that he is considering a tough option — up to withdrawing American troops from NATO countries that, in his opinion, do not particularly support the USA.
At the same time, the role of the alliance itself was also being discussed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio openly said that it should be reconsidered in light of the current situation.
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Trump himself did not mince words. He repeatedly criticized allies, called them “weak,” and generally questioned the effectiveness of NATO.
Previously, he went even further and threatened economic measures. In particular, he talked about 25% tariffs for countries that continue to cooperate with Iran. In some cases, he even allowed for a tougher option — up to 50% for those supplying Tehran with weapons.
At the same time, Trump did not directly link the tariffs to Iran. Officially, it was only about the trade agreement with the EU and supporting American manufacturing.
Now the attention of markets and European politicians is focused on signals from the White House.
The next move is up to Brussels. The EU already has ready lists of retaliatory measures, as in previous trade disputes. Now everything depends on the EU’s reaction: whether they see this as an attempt at pressure or a reason for escalation.
