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2025-07-28 21:46:32
[15% tariff "cut flesh" to survive? US-EU trade agreement triggers controversy within Europe, with France and Germany polarized] ⑴ The United States and the European Union reached a framework trade agreement, stipulating that the United States will impose a 15% import tariff on most EU goods. ⑵ This tariff rate is much lower than the 30% previously threatened, but still higher than the zero tariff that Europe initially expected. ⑶ The agreement triggered a strong reaction within Europe. French Prime Minister Barut publicly criticized it as "surrendering", calling it a "dark day" for the "Free National Alliance". ⑷ German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the agreement, believing that it successfully avoided a serious impact on Germany's export-oriented economy. ⑸ EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic stressed that although the agreement is not perfect, it is the best result in "very difficult circumstances". ⑹ European stocks rose after the agreement was reached, with the STOXX 600 index hitting a four-month high, led by technology and healthcare stocks. ⑺ Although the agreement has eliminated trade uncertainties to a certain extent, there are still many unresolved issues, such as the specific tariffs on wine, spirits and some steel and aluminum products, which still need further negotiations. ⑻ In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the EU's promised $600 billion in private investment and $750 billion in strategic purchases can be realized as scheduled. ⑼ Market traders should pay close attention to the progress of subsequent negotiations and specific implementation details to assess the long-term impact of the agreement on different industries and market sentiment.
