**European leaders react negatively to the recent trade deal between the EU and the US, marking it as a compromise, while highlighting fears of economic strain.**
**EU Leaders Express Discontent Over US Trade Agreement**
**EU Leaders Express Discontent Over US Trade Agreement**
**Concerns Raised by France and Germany Despite Avoiding Full Trade War**
The trade deal between the European Union and the United States, finalized by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, has drawn significant criticism from the leaders of Europe’s two largest economies. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou have voiced their discontent, labeling the agreement as damaging and indicative of European submission.
Merz pointed out that the new tariff structure, which imposes a 15% tariff on most EU exports and demands increased purchases of American energy, would have negative financial repercussions for Germany. Similarly, Bayrou characterized the deal as a retreat from European principles, suggesting it undermines the shared values and interests that bind EU member states together.
Despite the negative sentiment, European leaders recognized that signing a potentially disadvantageous deal might avert a more detrimental scenario, namely a comprehensive trade war. The deal requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states, each with varied levels of dependence on trade with the US. While no country indicated plans to veto the agreement, sentiment across the bloc remained lukewarm.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a known supporter of Trump, claimed that von der Leyen was outmaneuvered during negotiations. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his conditional support for the deal, though without enthusiasm. This response underscores a broader sentiment among European nations, where the effectiveness of the EU's negotiating team has been questioned.
In the lead-up to these negotiations, there had been discussions among EU leaders about leveraging anti-coercion measures to pressure the US, but with significant tariffs looming, the EU opted for a deal that would mitigate a worse economic fallout. While von der Leyen sought to highlight the agreement as a significant achievement, some leaders, including the head of the European People’s Party, described it as merely "damage control."
In the wake of the deal, some leaders expressed relief, viewing it as a step toward stability. The Finnish Prime Minister cited it as a source of "much-needed predictability," while Ireland’s Trade Minister emphasized the importance of the deal for economic stability.
During a post-agreement press conference, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic defended the agreement, arguing it was the "best deal we could achieve under challenging conditions." He also noted the security implications tied to maintaining strong trade relations with the US, especially considering geopolitical tensions related to the Ukraine conflict, indicating that such considerations came at an economic cost.
Merz pointed out that the new tariff structure, which imposes a 15% tariff on most EU exports and demands increased purchases of American energy, would have negative financial repercussions for Germany. Similarly, Bayrou characterized the deal as a retreat from European principles, suggesting it undermines the shared values and interests that bind EU member states together.
Despite the negative sentiment, European leaders recognized that signing a potentially disadvantageous deal might avert a more detrimental scenario, namely a comprehensive trade war. The deal requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states, each with varied levels of dependence on trade with the US. While no country indicated plans to veto the agreement, sentiment across the bloc remained lukewarm.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a known supporter of Trump, claimed that von der Leyen was outmaneuvered during negotiations. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his conditional support for the deal, though without enthusiasm. This response underscores a broader sentiment among European nations, where the effectiveness of the EU's negotiating team has been questioned.
In the lead-up to these negotiations, there had been discussions among EU leaders about leveraging anti-coercion measures to pressure the US, but with significant tariffs looming, the EU opted for a deal that would mitigate a worse economic fallout. While von der Leyen sought to highlight the agreement as a significant achievement, some leaders, including the head of the European People’s Party, described it as merely "damage control."
In the wake of the deal, some leaders expressed relief, viewing it as a step toward stability. The Finnish Prime Minister cited it as a source of "much-needed predictability," while Ireland’s Trade Minister emphasized the importance of the deal for economic stability.
During a post-agreement press conference, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic defended the agreement, arguing it was the "best deal we could achieve under challenging conditions." He also noted the security implications tied to maintaining strong trade relations with the US, especially considering geopolitical tensions related to the Ukraine conflict, indicating that such considerations came at an economic cost.
