White House Proposes 10% Tariffs on 60 Countries, EU Status Unclear

Does the new 10% tariff proposal override the EU's existing cap?

The White House on June 2 announced a proposal to impose tariffs of at least 10% on 60 economies. The announcement has created uncertainty for trading partners including the European Union, which previously negotiated a capped tariff arrangement with the United States.

The proposal does not specify whether existing bilateral tariff agreements remain in force or whether the 10% floor supersedes them. For carriers hauling cross-border freight involving EU-origin components (truck chassis, axles, telematics hardware, and trailer parts), the lack of clarity means customs brokers cannot yet calculate landed costs with certainty.

What the June 2 proposal covers

The White House statement identifies 60 economies subject to the tariff floor but does not publish a country list or harmonized tariff schedule codes. The phrase "at least 10%" suggests the administration may layer additional duties on top of the baseline for specific products or countries.

Carriers importing equipment or parts from affected countries should expect Customs and Border Protection to issue guidance on effective dates and product classifications in the coming weeks. Until CBP publishes that guidance, importers face the risk of retroactive duties if shipments clear before the rule takes effect.

EU tariff cap background

The European Union previously secured a negotiated cap on certain U.S. tariffs in earlier trade discussions. The June 2 proposal does not explicitly revoke that cap, but it also does not confirm the cap survives the new 10% floor.

For fleets that source trailers, axles, or telematics from EU manufacturers, the difference between a capped rate and a 10% floor can add thousands of dollars per unit. A 53-foot dry van chassis subject to a 5% capped rate would see duties double if the 10% floor applies.

What carriers hauling EU-origin freight need to do

Carriers with pending equipment orders from EU suppliers should contact their customs brokers to model both scenarios: the existing cap holding and the 10% floor applying. If the floor applies, fleets may need to renegotiate purchase agreements or adjust freight rates to cover the added duty.

Carriers hauling finished goods for shippers with EU supply chains should expect shippers to ask for rate adjustments if tariffs increase. The uncertainty period may last several weeks while the administration clarifies which bilateral agreements remain in force.

Fleets that deferred chassis or trailer purchases in anticipation of tariff refunds earlier this year now face a second round of duty uncertainty. The June 2 proposal does not address whether refunds already issued will be clawed back if new tariffs take effect.

Cross-border compliance implications

The proposal adds a layer of complexity to USMCA certificate-of-origin filings for carriers hauling between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. If EU-origin components in a trailer or tractor exceed USMCA regional value-content thresholds, the equipment may lose duty-free treatment under the trade pact even if final assembly occurs in North America.

Carriers operating cross-border should verify with their customs brokers that certificates of origin reflect the correct tariff treatment under both USMCA and the new 10% floor. A mismatch can trigger CBP audits and penalties for misclassification.

What happens next

The White House has not published an effective date for the 10% tariff floor or a list of affected harmonized tariff codes. Until the U.S. Trade Representative or CBP issues implementing guidance, carriers cannot calculate final landed costs for equipment or parts shipments.

Fleets with equipment orders scheduled to ship in the next 60 days should ask suppliers to delay shipment until CBP clarifies whether existing tariff caps remain in force. Clearing a shipment under the wrong tariff assumption can result in underpayment penalties and interest charges that exceed the original duty.

Carriers hauling for shippers with EU supply chains should expect freight-rate renegotiation requests if the 10% floor applies. The uncertainty period may compress decision timelines for fleets considering whether to lock in equipment orders before tariffs take effect or wait for clarity on exemptions.