The 15% tariff is “the perfect” the EU might get, the European Fee chief has claimed, amid fierce criticism
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen has tried to shrug off widespread criticism over the EU’s new commerce settlement with the US. The controversial deal topics a lot of the bloc’s exports to a 15% tariff whereas exempting American items from retaliatory duties.
The EU-US settlement was finalized on Sunday throughout a gathering with US President Donald Trump at certainly one of his Scottish golf-resort inns.
”15% is to not be underestimated, however it’s the greatest we might get,” von der Leyen stated, when requested by reporters whether or not the settlement provided aid to European carmakers.
The compromise averts a looming 30% tariff Trump had threatened to impose on August 1. Nevertheless, it falls far wanting the EU’s unique provide of zero tariffs on each imports and exports.
Trump has lengthy accused the EU of exploiting regulatory boundaries equivalent to VAT distortions, and authorized challenges in commerce with the US. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the specter of tariffs was meant to “mild a hearth underneath the EU.”
After negotiations stalled earlier this yr, Trump escalated his calls for, imposing a 25% tariff on vehicles, 50% on metal and aluminum, and threatening a 30% blanket tariff until a deal was reached by August.
The EU’s cope with the US has triggered a political backlash throughout the bloc. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou referred to as it a “darkish day” and an act of “submission.” Hungary’s Viktor Orban reportedly quipped that “Donald Trump ate Ursula von der Leyen for breakfast.” Quite a few enterprise associations have decried a “capitulation.”
In keeping with Russian Safety Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, “Trump wiped the ground with Europe.”
Nonetheless, the deal discovered help in Berlin and Rome. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described it as a crucial compromise to forestall a commerce warfare and supply predictability for export-reliant economies.
Earlier than Trump’s return to workplace in January, the common US tariff on EU imports was roughly 1.5% whereas the bloc’s common imposed tariff was 1.35%, based on Brussels-based assume tank Bruegel. Since then, a collection of sweeping duties have been launched.
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