Trump has threatened to impose higher tariffs on the bloc if it doesn't implement the trade deal agreed last year by his deadline.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday the European Union must officially approve and implement the current trade deal or the US will raise tariffs on the bloc.

Trump said he has been waiting "patiently for the EU to fulfill their side" of what he called the "Historic Trade Deal."

Trump's remarks came after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen but warned that the EU must follow through with its side of the bargain.

"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. "I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."

Why Has the Deal not Been Approved?

The EU struck the deal with Trump in July last year. It called for a maximum tariff of 15% on most European imports into the US. In return, the bloc pledged to slash tariffs on US industrial goods and easing market access for US agricultural products such as pork and dairy.

The EU's implementation of the deal was delayed by several factors affecting the bilateral relationship between the US and the EU.

Frustration over other tariff threats by Trump, the dispute over his bid to annex Greenland, and the legal uncertainty triggered by a US Supreme Court ruling that found many of his existing tariffs unlawful, all had an effect in slowing progress on the deal's adoption

EU lawmakers eventually gave the deal the green light in March, but they also sought additional safeguards. Now, the deal must be negotiated with all EU member states before it can be implemented by the bloc.

Cyprus, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, will hold talks with European lawmakers on May 19 and vowed to maintain "positive momentum" on the subject.