National governments, especially the key to Berlin and Paris, are not ready to risk economic losses to force Trump to make concessions.
The United States and the European Union agreed with the parameters of a trade agreement. US president Donald Trump met with European Commission leader Ursula Von Der Layen at his Golf Club in Scotland. His journey was called a private visit.
At a press conference, following the results of the meeting, Trump announced that the tariff for imports in the United States from EU countries was at least 15% (he had previously talked about a rate of 30%). In addition, according to him, EU countries will buy military equipment in the USA, energy for $ 750 billion in the next four years, and also invest $ 600 billion in the American economy. At the same time, 50 percent roles in steel and aluminum, which Trump introduced in imports from all countries of the world, will remain in strength for the EU.
Reaction to a deal
“It’s a great deal for everyone,” Trump said. “He’ll make us closer. In a sense, it’s cooperation.” Von der Lyain described an agreement as a “big deal” achieved by “difficult negotiations”.
The USA and the European Union account for nearly a third of the world’s total trade in goods and services. Importing goods from the EU to the United States has significantly exceeded the export of American merchandise in Europe (according to data for 2024 -$ 606 billion against $ 370 billion), and Trump considers this deficiency a serious problem. From August 1, he threatened to establish a 30 percent role in European imports if the United States and the EU could not agree.
Many commentators have noted that such an agreement is not an optimal choice for the European Union, but it is even better than uncertainty.
At the same time, individual questions about the content of the agreement remain unresponsive. For example, participants in the negotiations of the press have said the duties for some, though few, will introduce or save American merchandise. Which is not yet known.
In addition, the question for Trump is not just in roles: many he complains about strict policies that Europe, in his opinion, deals with American manufacturers. The outcome of negotiations on this issue is also unknown.
The EU doesn’t have the opportunity?
Many European Union officials, who are responsible for negotiations with a trade agreement with the United States, signed on Sunday, believe it is at least bad choice of all that is possible, says the Bloomberg publication.
Although the European Commission has official trading issues, the agreement between its president Ursula Von der Lyain and US president Donald Trump, according to which the United States will introduce a 15 percent duty to most European -imported goods, has been formed by national governments that are tied to their hands with the negotiators.
The main obstacle facing EU entrepreneurs throughout the process is the national governments, especially the key to Berlin and Paris, is not ready to risk economic losses to make Trump concessions.
Von der Lyaina himself did nothing to deal with it, and quickly retreated from the EU’s initial goal – to achieve a mutual and balanced agreement.
He called the agreement “the best we get.”
The agency’s resources said that a week ago, EU messengers said they had two options: to take up the 15 percent duty Trump offered, or take revenge measures. But the ambassadors warned that for an effective response, the EU should be prepared to act together and ready for painful consequences. Country members are not ready for either.
As the agency records, during negotiations in the United States, European chapters continue to focus on protecting their national interests, and not in developing a strong position in Europe, and find decisions that will reduce short -term risks for their major industries.
This is part of the political weakness of German and France, where both German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, and President Emmanuel Macron faced the threat of proper -populating ready to use any punch to the economy as a weapon, the publication was mentioned.
Another aspect is the fear of relying on the USA on security and anxiety issues that Trump may respond to trade pressure reducing Ukraine’s support to the struggle against Russia’s invasion.
The publication also states that the European Commission has faced a squall of requirements from EU member countries about excluding a number of goods from the list subject to return duties. Most of the requests are dictated by national interest, and not in the desire to develop a position of Europe.
According to resources, if the commission has been granted all these requests, nothing will be left on the lists.
In addition, Mertz repeatedly called for a quick and simple agreement, without specifying what it meant, and in private conversations complained that EU officials were stuck in details.
Problems for Russia
Later, the head of the European Commission held another meeting with journalists. Among the benefits of the transaction, he recognized the expansion of American energy purchases.
“We will replace Russia’s gas and oil with significant purchases in the United States of liquid natural gas, oil and nuclear fuel,” he said.
“Today’s transaction creates certainty in times of uncertainty. It brings stability and predicts for citizens and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic,” Von der Layen said.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.