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The European Commission formally requested exemptions for a range of strategic products from the United States’ planned 15 percent tariff, according to a statement distributed by the Emirates News Agency. EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis argued that such measures would safeguard the deeply integrated supply chains between the two economies. The appeal specifically targets sectors where disruptions could have cascading effects on employment and innovation on both sides of the Atlantic, the statement indicated.
Consultations with EU member states helped shape the list of items proposed for exemption, a Commission official told WAM. European Commission statistics show that the US absorbed nearly 20 percent of the bloc’s total exports in 2025, making it the largest single destination for EU goods. The proposed tariff has raised concerns across multiple industries, prompting coordinated action from Brussels.
A review by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimated that broad-based tariffs of this magnitude could trim global trade growth by 0.5 percentage points in the following year. In this context, the EU has advocated for a more nuanced approach that accounts for the unique nature of transatlantic commerce. The Commission has previously secured exemptions in comparable situations, setting a precedent for the current negotiations.
Dombrovskis noted that pharmaceuticals alone accounted for a substantial portion of EU exports to the US, according to the statement. The commissioner further highlighted automotive parts and certain food products as areas deserving special treatment to maintain stability in those markets. This position was echoed by several EU member state governments in separate communications.
The US Trade Representative’s office confirmed receipt of the EU communication but stopped short of committing to any specific exemptions, a spokesperson said. Discussions under the existing bilateral framework are expected to continue in the coming weeks. Trade between the US and EU totaled more than 1.2 trillion dollars in 2025, Eurostat data shows.
