At the beginning of the Historical Luxembourg Center, the EU division was revealed at the outskirts of the historic Luxembourg Center at the beginning of the week. Maros Sefcovic, Commissioner for Trade, talks to European ministers about new American customs tariffs, the first exchange of sentences from Donald Trump's “Liberation Day”. After a while, Sefcovic invites everyone to a non -binding vote: who is retaliation in America and who is behind the concessions?
Some ministers are in favor of the “nuclear option”, as insiders report: tax on digital services. It would be an attack on Big Tech, the heart of the American economy. Others prefer less drama and call for the imposition of duties on individual American products. But which? There is no consensus here either. Still others would prefer not to attack at all. A great breakthrough – the only answer to “Liberation Day” – did not occur that morning in Luxembourg.
– The plans have been finalized – says one of the EU officials. – There were long lists of American products ready to apply expansion duties – he adds. According to this man, everything sounded good in theory. – But in practice everything becomes clear: the matter is more difficult than expected. This is because the interests of European rule are very divergent.
On the second of April this year. In the Rose White House garden, US President Donald Trump promised to free his nation on economic dependencies and restore the golden age. He announced the duties for all imports, 20 percent For EU countries and almost 50 percent For some other countries, and then stated that many governments are desperately calling for negotiating contracts. “They kiss me in the ass,” he said during dinner with friends from the party.
But at the same time, stock markets fell sharply, and the profitability of American bonds exploded – and with them the cost of $ 36 trillion. [135 bln 530 mld 381 mln zł] public debt. The bond market has finally forced Trump to make concessions, and on Wednesday it reduced many of its duties, with a 10 % rate for the EU. However, there are also steel, aluminum and cars tariffs.
So the trade war is not over yet. And Europe is still trying to find an answer. Sefcovic and his boss Ursula von der Leyen, chairwoman of the European Commission, repeat in public appearances that they stand together and react as unity. But behind the scenes there are disputes about how, when, and even if. After more than 70 years of European integration, a trade war with Donald Trump reveals an uncomfortable truth: when scuffles occur, national interests dominate.
Jim LO SCALZO / PAP
President Donald Trump is holding a signed executive regulation introducing new customs tariffs to US, Washington, USA, April 2, 2025.
Not in my yard
Two days after the meeting of Sefcovic with European ministers, the Commission in Brussels, which is responsible for the European trade policy, announced customs duties in the amount of 10 to 25 percent. for some American goods, including jeans, motorcycles and beef. It is an agreement on the lowest common denominator, a mini. And even this was not unanimously agreed by the EU – Hungary was against it.
Originally, the Commission also wanted to impose whiskey fees, but France and Italy objected to it. Their diplomats called EU officials to remove alcoholic beverages from their lists. They were afraid that otherwise Trump could put a duty on wine, which is an important export commodity for both countries. Ultimately, all behind -the -scenes quarrels turned out to be unnecessary: in the same week, after Trump lowered his duties to the EU by half, and Brussels postponed all new duties.
This The turbulent spring on the edge of the global trade war shows how the continent is divided. EU countries support customs against America – unless the Trump's Wrath Center becomes. You can talk about Nimby syndrome [ang. Not In My Back Yard]short for “not in my yard”. This is the case, for example, with wind turbines and solar parks. Many people like them, but they should not be in their own neighborhood. It seems that Europe is now experiencing its moment in commercial policy.
Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, repeatedly called the EU to be “more pragmatic”, which probably means: no new duties against America, please. He wants to go to Washington next week to discuss the trade policy with Trump. Not everyone is satisfied with it; Some European governments are afraid that the US president will achieve exactly what he always wanted: talks with individual countries instead of the EC. – Such bilateral meetings are not very helpful at the moment – says one of the EU diplomats. – It's clear to everyone.
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Nuclear option
Niebby syndrome can be observed not only in the case of Italian and French wines. The question of whether the EU should take action against American companies such as Google, Apple and Facebook is also controversial. In Berlaymont, where the headquarters of the EC is located, officials are considering tightening the provisions regarding data protection and distribution of illegal content. They can also demand better insight into algorithms and reduce social media ads. They can also be in favor of large technology companies online – in other words, “nuclear option”.
Some European countries are open to this idea. “You have to prepare for it,” said the outgoing German Minister of Economy Robert Habeck at a meeting with the EU Commissioner Sefcovic in Luxembourg. The French trade minister Laurent Saint-Martin said: “We cannot rule out any option, for goods or services.”
Olivier Hoslet / PAP
Chairwoman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (L) and Commissioner for Trade Marcos Sefcovic (P) at the meeting of the College of the EC in Brussels, Belgium, April 9, 2025.
There is one lever: although the EU exports more goods to the USA than imports from there, this ratio is opposite to services. Every time someone in Europe places an advertisement on Facebook or ordering Uber, the American economy uses it. In 2023 – newer data is not yet available – America had a surplus of EUR 109 billion here [465 mld 936 mln 305 tys. zł].
Donald Trump goes to war with world trade. He made an amateur mistake. “Every day he causes more and more damage to power”
Germany and France want to put pressure on Trump using digital tax. But Ireland, where many technology companies have their own headquarters, is against it. According to Dublin, at all costs you should avoid attack on great technologies. The government is afraid of losing tax revenues and jobs.
As often happens in Europe, KRaje are fighting for their interests. At the end of multi -day negotiations, a minimal consensus is achieved. A solution with which everyone can live somehow, but which does not really move the continent forward. France is opposed to whiskey Bigs because he is afraid of its fault. On the other hand, this country supports the tax on digital services – Ireland will eventually have to bear its consequences. Niebby at the best.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
