The European Union on Monday, July 28th, vehemently defended its trade deal with U.S. president Donald Trump, with EU capitals and businesses sharply divided on an outcome some branded a “capitulation.”
“I’m 100 percent sure that this deal is better than a trade war with the United States,” top EU trade negotiator Maroš Šefčovič told journalists.
“This is clearly the best deal we could get under very difficult circumstances,” Šefčovič said.
But the reaction from European capitals—which gave von der Leyen the mandate to negotiate— ranged from muted to outright hostile.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou said it was a “dark day” for Europe and said the accord was tantamount to “submission.”
Speaking for Europe’s biggest economy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave a warmer welcome to a deal he said had avoided “needless escalation.”
Industry groups in both countries made plain their disappointment however, with Germany’s main auto sector body saying the 15-percent levy “burdens” carmakers while its VCI chemical trade association said the rates were “too high.”
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán attacked the deal in blunt terms, saying, “Trump ate Ursula von der Leyen for breakfast.”
