Europe’s Leaders Express Concern Over US-EU Trade Deal Outcomes

Sun Oct 19 2025 00:15:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Germany and France voice alarm as EU economies grapple with the implications of the new trade agreement with the US.

European leaders, led by Germany and France, have reacted skeptically to the US-EU trade deal negotiated by Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump. Concerns about economic impact and the perception of submission to US demands have overshadowed the agreement, which introduces a 15% tariff on EU exports to the US. Despite worries, there is some relief that a more severe outcome was avoided.

Leaders from Europe's largest economies, Germany and France, have expressed serious reservations regarding a recently negotiated trade deal between the EU and the US. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the agreement potentially damaging to his country’s finances. Meanwhile, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou characterized the deal as a form of "submission" to US interests.

This pessimism has been echoed across various EU capitals, even as they recognize that reaching an imperfect agreement may be preferable to triggering an all-out trade conflict. The deal stipulates a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the US—representing half of the rate that had been threatened by President Donald Trump—in exchange for an increase in America's energy exports to Europe and reduced tariffs on certain imports.

After private discussions held at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, von der Leyen touted the arrangement as a “huge deal,” with Trump proclaiming it as a means to enhance US-EU relations. However, approval from all 27 EU member states is necessary, each having distinct interests and varying dependencies on the US market. Despite the lack of intention from any member to obstruct the deal, celebrations amongst EU leaders have been muted.

Merz cautioned that both US and European economies could suffer negative repercussions from the agreement but acknowledged the challenges faced by Brussels in negotiating with an assertive US administration. Bayrou’s comments on social media underscored a sentiment of disappointment among leaders who believed that the alliance should stand firm against coercive trade tactics.

Support from Baltic states and leaders, such as Hungary's Viktor Orban and Spain's Pedro Sanchez, varied—Orban sarcastically noted Trump’s dominant position in negotiations, while Sanchez offered lukewarm support.

Prior to the agreement, there was growing interest among certain EU leaders in implementing anti-coercion measures against US companies. However, the impending threat of 30% tariffs led the EU to compromise, securing a deal that would still impose economic hardships but less severe than initially anticipated.

Though von der Leyen framed it as a success, comments from the leader of the European People's Party cast doubt on its efficacy, labeling it "damage control." After most key elements were agreed upon, ongoing technical discussions will finalize the details.

In a press briefing, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic defended the agreement, labeling it the most favorable outcome achievable under challenging conditions. He emphasized the geopolitical necessity of maintaining close trade relations with the US amid ongoing global tensions, such as the Ukraine conflict, suggesting that these realities come at "an additional price."