Bernd Lange· S&D

False

Tariffs on products containing steel and aluminum were increased from 15% to 50% after the deal was concluded.

Error detected

The baseline tariff was 25%, not 15%, before the increase to 50%

The 50% tariff was imposed in June 2025, before the 15% EU deal was concluded in July 2025, not after

The 15% rate was specific to the EU deal, not the general pre-existing rate

Omissions

• The 15% tariff rate applied specifically to EU imports under a July 2025 trade deal, not as a general baseline rate
• The general tariff increase from 25% to 50% occurred on June 4, 2025, before the US-EU deal with 15% tariffs was concluded in July 2025
• The claim reverses the chronological order of events
• The UK Parliament source (August 2025) and Reuters source (July 2025) were published after the claim date but contain data from periods before March 26, 2026

Sources

• PrimaryUK Parliament House of Commons LibraryOn 12 March 2025, President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all aluminium, steel and derivative goods imports. This was raised to 50% on 4 June.
• PrimaryWhite House - Adjusting Imports of Aluminum and SteelExecutive Order increasing steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%
• SecondaryReuters - US and EU avert trade war with 15% tariff dealUS-EU deal includes 15% tariff, better than threatened 30%, in deal mirroring Japan's agreement
• SecondaryGHY International - 50% Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum and DerivativesSharply increases tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products and their derivatives from 25% to 50% ad valorem, effective 12:01 am ET on June 4, 2025