EU Agrees Trade Deal with US Including $600bn Investment, 15% Tariff

In a highly contentious trade deal, President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to a 15% US tariff on most EU goods, half the 30% initially threatened by Trump, while the EU pledged to invest $600 billion in the US and purchase $750 billion worth of American energy over three years. The deal has been met with strong criticism across Europe, with figures like French lawmakers and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban condemning it as a submission to US economic coercion, and calls for Europe to seek new mechanisms to protect its trade interests. Supporters in the US, including White House official Sebastian Gorka, praised the agreement as a geopolitical victory and a testament to the success of the 'America First' strategy. German officials expressed concerns about Europe's negotiating position, emphasizing the need to hold the US accountable to its commitments while acknowledging the current weakness in negotiations. Analysts like Sander Tordoir attribute the unfavorable terms for the EU to Brussels' reluctance to retaliate robustly during trade talks. Despite mixed reactions, the deal is seen as marking a significant structural shift in transatlantic trade relations, with long-term implications for both economies.