Food Fight: Trump Threatens EU with 17% Agricultural Tariffs

A “food fight” is brewing across the Atlantic as Donald Trump threatens the European Union with a 17% tariff on its agricultural exports, including popular food produce. This direct strike targets iconic European goods like Belgian chocolate, Irish Kerrygold butter, and Mediterranean olive oil, all of which are major sellers in the US market.
The warning was reportedly conveyed to EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič during high-level talks in Washington with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other officials. This move is consistent with Trump’s broader strategy, as he plans to impose permanent tariffs of up to 70% on around a dozen countries after his July 9 deadline for trade deals.
Despite the aggressive posturing, EU trade spokesperson Olof Gill stated that the bloc still “favours a negotiated solution,” confirming that “progress was made towards an agreement in principle” during discussions that will continue through the weekend. However, the EU is also making robust preparations for a potential trade war, signaling its readiness to impose retaliatory tariffs on a wide array of US products, including Bourbon and Boeing 747s, if an agreement isn’t reached before Wednesday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized the pragmatic goal of a high-level framework deal, acknowledging the limited time for a comprehensive agreement. A critical demand from the EU is immediate tariff relief in key sectors, particularly the auto industry, which is currently burdened by a substantial 27.5% US tariff. The convergence of Trump’s global deadline and the specific EU agricultural tariff threat creates a high-pressure environment for trade negotiations.