By Ginika Igboke
The European Commission said on Feb. 22 it is seeking “full clarity” from the United States following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The Commission also called on Washington to honor a trade agreement reached with the European Union last year.
The Trump administration has been exploring alternative legal avenues after the Supreme Court on Feb. 20 struck down the reciprocal tariff framework imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In response, Trump announced a 10 percent global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, later increasing it to 15 percent on Feb. 21 following a detailed review of the court’s decision.
In a Feb. 22 statement, the European Commission urged the U.S. government to clarify its next steps, warning that the current situation is “not conducive to delivering fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial” transatlantic trade and investment, as agreed by both sides last year.
Under a trade agreement reached last July, the United States agreed to cap tariffs on most EU imports at 15 percent, covering sectors including cars, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber. In return, the EU agreed to eliminate tariffs on all U.S. industrial goods, grant preferential market access to U.S. seafood and agricultural exports, and increase purchases of U.S. military and defense equipment.
“A deal is a deal. As the United States’ largest trading partner, the EU expects the U.S. to honour its commitments set out in the Joint Statement—just as the EU stands by its commitments,” the Commission said.
“In particular, 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.”
The Commission added that it has remained in continuous contact with U.S. officials. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič spoke on Feb. 21 with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the issue.
“We will continue to work towards lowering tariffs, as provided for in the Joint Statement,” the Commission said. “The EU’s priority is to preserve a stable, predictable transatlantic trading environment, while also acting as a global anchor for rules-based trade.”
In a Feb. 22 interview with CBS News, Greer confirmed that he had discussed tariff matters with his EU counterpart and officials from other countries, stating that Washington expects trading partners to uphold their agreements.
“The deals were not premised on whether or not the emergency tariff litigation would rise or fall,” Greer said. “But rest assured, I’ve been speaking to these folks as well, and I’ve been telling them for a year, whether this case—whether we won or lost—we were going to have tariffs, the president’s policy was going to continue.
“That’s why they signed these deals even while the litigation was pending.”
Greer said on Feb. 20 that the Supreme Court ruling applied only to Trump’s reciprocal and fentanyl-related tariffs, and that other extensive tariffs imposed under separate statutory authorities remain in effect.
He added that his office will initiate new investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act, targeting most major trading partners. The probe aims to address what he described as “unjustifiable, unreasonable, discriminatory, and burdensome acts, policies, and practices,” with additional tariffs possible if unfair practices are identified.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also cited Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act as a potential legal basis the administration may use to pursue its tariff policies following the court’s decision.
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