EU-Trump trade deal criticized: What will happen to tariffs?

TURNBERRY, Scotland— The United States and the European Union (EU) have reached a trade agreement that imposes 15 percent tariffs on European products and includes commitments totaling more than $1 trillion in energy trade and investment .

The announcement was made by US President Donald Trump after meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at her golf club in Scotland .

"It was a very interesting negotiation. I think it's going to be great for both sides," Trump said.

Von der Leyen called the pact “a good agreement” that will bring stability to transatlantic economic relations.

“It’s a huge deal between the two largest economies in the world,” he added.

Before this agreement, Trump had proposed raising tariffs to 30%. To avoid an open trade war, Brussels opted to negotiate and compromise.

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic explained that the agreement represents a compromise between the old tariffs—only 1.4% on average—and the threat of punitive tariffs.

In addition, the EU pledged to purchase $750 billion in energy (gas, oil, and nuclear fuel) and invest an additional $600 billion in the United States within three years.

Despite diplomatic efforts, the agreement has not been well received in several EU capitals. French Prime Minister François Bayrou was blunt: "It is a dark day when an alliance of free peoples decides to submit."

Pedro Sánchez , the Spanish Prime Minister, supported the pact, but without enthusiasm:

"I appreciate the negotiating effort, but Europe must diversify its trade relations. We need more strategic autonomy."

In contrast, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for the pact, although she acknowledged that its details must be analyzed and compensation for potential losses sought.

Germany was key in softening the European stance, but its leaders also expressed discontent.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted that "more simply could not be achieved" and acknowledged that the agreed tariffs would significantly affect Germany's export-oriented economy.

Warnings also came from the industry. Wolfgang Groe Entrup , president of the Association of the German Chemical Industry (VCI), said the agreement would have "considerable negative repercussions."

"A further escalation has been avoided, but the price is high. Exports are losing competitiveness," he said.

European agricultural and wine sectors expressed concern about the effects of the 15% tariff.

José Luis Benítez , director of the Spanish Wine Federation, warned that this measure could put Europe at a disadvantage compared to regions with lower tariffs.

For his part, Lamberto Frescobaldi , president of the Italian wine association UIV, estimated that the new tariffs would represent a loss of 317 million euros over one year for wine exporters.

Beyond the economic content, the agreement's context also generated irritation. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán joked about the imbalance in the negotiations:

"Donald Trump ate von der Leyen for breakfast. He's a heavyweight compared to a featherweight president."

French Minister Benjamin Haddad was also skeptical: "The pact brings temporary stability, but it is unbalanced."

The European Commission has justified the agreement as the only way to avoid a trade war.

Maros Sefcovic stressed that without this agreement, millions of jobs would have been at risk and that the purchase of US energy is aligned with the goal of reducing energy dependence on Russia .

Despite the criticism, Sefcovic defended the commitment:

“We've spent a lot of time together. We've gotten to know each other better. I'm confident the United States will respect the agreement.”

On Tuesday morning, France emerged as one of the main critics of the agreement between the European Union and the United States , joining those who called it "worrying."