The tariff deal leaves half of Europe unhappy: "It's unfair and unbalanced, we've bowed to Trump."

The EU-US trade deal is trailing controversy and dissatisfaction. Some say it's unsatisfactory . Indeed, it's humiliating , especially on this side of the Atlantic, in Europe. In the wake of the agreement reached by Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen , announced in Scotland last Sunday—which provides for a flat 15% tariff rate on European exports to the United States, with some exceptions— discontent among some member states is emerging. The fact that the agreement is "unbalanced" in favor of the American side is also being underscored in the US: the Financial Times has spoken of a "surrender" by the Union, and the New York Times has gone so far as to say that the trade pact has given "Trump much of what he wanted" (and, indirectly, without granting Brussels satisfactory compensation).

Naturally, there was a rush to defend the outcome at the Berlaymont: "This is clearly the best deal we could have had in very difficult circumstances," emphasized the key player in the negotiations with Washington, Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic , reiterating the Commission President's remarks in Scotland. "A trade war may seem tempting to some, but it carries serious consequences: with a tariff of at least 30%, our transatlantic trade would have effectively come to a halt," he added.

To console themselves, therefore, they look at the "glass half full" and remember that, in the absence of an agreement, the scenario and the conditions imposed would have been worse, with the outbreak of a full-blown tariff war between Europe and America. But some speak of " commercial appeasement ": a significant portion of countries, from France to Spain , even Hungary, for various political reasons, are firing chain bullets at the Commission buildings, aiming straight at Ursula. Paris's reaction was harsh, with Prime Minister François Bayrou calling it a " dark day " in which "an alliance of free peoples, united to affirm their values and defend their interests, decides to submit." From Budapest, Viktor Orban brutally summarizes: "Donald Trump ate von der Leyen for breakfast " and "it will be difficult to pass off this agreement as a success," the Hungarian leader cuts short.

"I support the trade agreement, but without enthusiasm," says Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez . German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is "dissatisfied": "The German economy will suffer considerable damage," states the Berlin prime minister (although, it is noted, it is precisely Europe's largest exporters to the US, Germany and Italy , who are greeting the handshake between Trump and von der Leyen with a note of optimism rather than pessimism). According to Giorgia Meloni, "we will need to study the details of the agreement and continue working because what was signed yesterday is a legally non-binding agreement, in principle, so there are still some details that need to be worked out, so there is still work to be done."

And the battleground, the Socialist Party has already announced, will be the Strasbourg Parliament , where the agreement must be ratified . And where the Commission president could encounter a number of pitfalls in the MEPs' vote . There's a risk of a worst-case scenario: the agreement being rejected by an unprecedented, cross-party majority, including disappointed Popular Party and Socialists, plus the Greens, Left, and ECR. Difficult, unlikely, but not impossible.

“While a 15% tariff represents an improvement over 30%, it remains an unjustified and illegal tax on European consumers and businesses. And while it brings welcome relief and some predictability to European industries, the broader agreement appears unbalanced ,” the Socialist group wrote in a statement. “In this case, it's not worth swallowing the bitter pill. This agreement makes trade more expensive and less attractive. And the short-term relief comes at the expense of our long-term economic interests. Not only that, it also sends the wrong signal. If we cave under pressure, what will stop Trump from attacking our legislation? ” explains Brando Benifei , S&D MEP, coordinator on the International Trade Committee and chair of the EU Parliament's delegation to the United States.

In Italy, among the most critical is Carlo Calenda's party, Azione, which, through Osvaldo Napoli, commented: "Emmanuel Macron is silent. For Spain, the vice president of the Council speaks out and rejects the tariff agreement. The Polish popular Donald Tusk is silent. From France, Jordan Bardella, the last sovereignist, disavows the agreement, which he finds humiliating for the European Union (Salvini is silent). The only mildly positive comments, expressed through gritted teeth and in solidarity with von der Leyen, come from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Giorgia Meloni."

The new 15% generalized tariff—which also includes MFN (Most Favored Nation) tariffs, averaging 4.8% —will take effect August 1 and affects approximately 70% of EU exports to the US , worth approximately €380 billion. For the Commission, "this is the line, and we won't go beyond one centimeter or one percentage point," explains an official. There are several exceptions, starting with the steel and aluminum sector, currently subject to a 50% tariff. The agreement provides for the future introduction of a system of tariff quotas , tied to historical trade levels. "Within these, we are evaluating MFN tariffs. Above that, we would have 50%, but we need to negotiate the details," clarifies the same official, who requested anonymity.

There are also a number of strategic products that will be subject to ' zero-for-zero' tariffs , including aircraft and related components, semiconductor machinery, and some non-sensitive agricultural products , such as tree nuts, processed seafood, and animal feed.

Wine and spirits , on which negotiations are underway , are on hold. Medicines and semiconductors "are currently subject to zero tariffs" and, when the United States draws conclusions from the ongoing investigations, pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, "the line drawn" will still be that of 15%. In light of the agreement, the EU's countermeasures should be suspended from August 4, keeping in mind, however, "that they exist" and "if necessary, we could always reinstate them."