Leaders from Europe’s two largest economies have led a chorus of negative reactions to the trade agreement reached by EU head Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz claimed the pact would “significantly damage” his country’s economy, while French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said it amounted to submission.
The reaction has been negative across the bloc, however some capitals agreed that striking an unequal agreement was worthwhile in order to avoid an all-out trade war. It will impose a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the US, half the amount Trump has threatened, in exchange for Europe purchasing more American energy and lowering import taxes.
Following private negotiations at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, von der Leyen referred to the accord as a “huge deal,” while Trump stated that it will bring the US and EU closer together.
The agreement will need to be approved by all 27 EU nations, each of which has different interests and levels of reliance on commodities sent to the United States. While no member state indicated that it intended to prevent it from entering into effect, European leaders did not celebrate.
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