Despite a significant trade agreement with the US, European leaders, including those from Germany and France, express disappointment and concern over economic repercussions, labeling it a necessary but unfavorable compromise to avoid steeper tariffs.
EU Leaders Express Disappointment Over US Trade Deal
EU Leaders Express Disappointment Over US Trade Deal
Reactions from France and Germany highlight unease within the EU about the newly struck trade agreement with the US, perceived as a compromise under pressure.
The trade deal unveiled between EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump has sparked somber reactions among leaders of Europe’s largest economies, notably Germany and France. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted the agreement's potential to "substantially damage" Germany’s financial standing, while French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou described the terms as a form of "submission" to US demands.
This pessimism is echoed across the European Union, despite some leaders conceding that signing a less-than-favorable deal is preferable to the threat of an outright trade war. The new arrangement includes a 15% tariff on most EU exports going to the US — a significant reduction from the 30% tariff Trump initially threatened — in exchange for increased European purchases of American energy resources and tax reductions on selected imports.
During private discussions at Trump’s Turnberry resort in Scotland, von der Leyen characterized the agreement as a breakthrough, while Trump claimed it would forge a closer relationship between the US and Europe. However, the deal requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states, which each have their own economic ties and dependencies on the American market. While no state has indicated it would block the agreement, sentiments of disappointment have permeated the EU leadership.
Merz contended that the economic hit would be felt on both sides of the Atlantic, suggesting that Brussels negotiators had little chance of securing better terms under a US administration aiming to recalibrate international trade relationships. Bayrou's remarks on social media emphasized a disturbing trend of an alliance supposedly dedicated to shared values conceding to coercion. Even Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is closely aligned with Trump, remarked on the perceived undermining of EU leadership, saying that "the US president 'ate von der Leyen for breakfast.'"
Additional voices from Europe have expressed conditional support for the deal, with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez backing the agreement "without any enthusiasm." In the lead-up to the negotiations, there were suggestions among European leaders to adopt measures aimed at counteracting US pressure, but facing the risk of heightened tariffs, the EU opted for this agreement, which, while still damaging, is less severe than initially threatened by Trump.
As the deal's framework takes shape, aspects of its implementation will require further technical discussions. While skepticism surrounds the agreement, there is some relief among member states. Finland’s Prime Minister indicated that it would provide “much-needed predictability,” while Ireland’s Trade Minister Simon Harris highlighted the necessity for "certainty fundamental for jobs, growth, and investment."
Defending the conditions of the trade agreement during a press conference, the EU’s trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic remarked that this was the "best deal we could get under very difficult circumstances," underlining that aligning trade with the US also carries essential geopolitical benefits amid ongoing tensions tied to the Ukraine conflict.
