Europe hits back at 'pure tariff chaos' from the U.S., warning trade deals are at risk

European officials have reacted with alarm to President Donald Trump's announcement of a new 15% global tariff on all imports, which came after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his previous global trade policy last week. The new tariffs, implemented immediately according to a Truth Social post on Saturday, have thrown into question trade deals recently negotiated between the U.S. and European nations, with EU exports facing the full 15% duty and UK exports subject to a 10% levy. The sudden policy shift has created significant uncertainty across the Atlantic as European leaders scramble for clarification on how these tariffs will affect their existing agreements with Washington. The tariff announcement represents Trump's response to the Supreme Court's ruling against his previous global tariff policy implemented last spring, which had disrupted international trade norms. Initially, the president announced a 10% universal levy using a different legal framework, but later increased the rate to the maximum 15% that can remain in place for 150 days before requiring Congressional approval. European Parliament's International Trade Committee Chair Bernd Lange described the situation as "pure tariff chaos from the U.S. administration," noting that the lack of clarity creates "growing uncertainty for the EU and other U.S. trading partners." The European Parliament is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the implications, with Lange proposing to suspend implementation of the U.S.-EU trade deal until a comprehensive legal assessment is conducted. European leaders are preparing a coordinated response to the tariff policy, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicating there would be "a very clear European position" during his upcoming White House visit in early March. Meanwhile, French Trade Minister Nicolas Forissier urged EU members to "no longer be naive" and adopt a united approach against the new trade measures. The UK government has also sought clarification, emphasizing its expectation that "privileged trading position with the U.S. will continue" despite the new tariffs. Financial markets have reacted negatively, with European stocks opening lower on Monday as investors express jitters over the trade uncertainty.