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2025-07-28 17:08:35
[New trade agreement triggers division within the EU, Germany and France have very different opinions] ⑴ The United States and the EU reached a framework trade agreement, imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods, successfully avoiding a larger trade war between the two sides. ⑵ The agreement triggered very different reactions from leaders within the EU, indicating serious internal divisions. ⑶ Hungarian Prime Minister Orban bluntly pointed out that this was not a real agreement, saying that Trump "ate" European Commission President von der Leyen in the negotiations. ⑷ French Prime Minister Bayrou said that this was a "painful day" and that the alliance succumbed to external pressure and betrayed common values and interests. ⑸ However, German Chancellor Merz was optimistic and believed that the agreement successfully avoided trade conflicts that could have dealt a heavy blow to Germany's export-oriented economy. ⑹ He particularly pointed out that tariffs on the automotive industry were reduced from 27.5% to 15%, nearly halved. ⑺ Both Finnish Prime Minister Orbó and Swedish Trade Minister Dusa believed that the agreement brought much-needed predictability to the global economy and businesses, although the Swedish side believed that this might only be the "least bad option." ⑻ Italian Prime Minister Meroni said that he could not make the best judgment before seeing the details of the agreement. ⑼ Irish Trade Minister Harris believed that the agreement provided certainty for businesses, which was crucial for employment, growth and investment.
