On Monday, in Brussels, the EU Commissioner for Trade Marosz Depressed referred to the questions of journalists regarding the controversial agreement, which a few days earlier was finalized by the chairwoman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen with US President Donald Trump. The contract, in addition to ensuring the period of commercial stability, imposes a 15 % customs rate on most EU exports to the United States, including key sectors such as car, semiconductor and pharmaceutical industry.
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“We had no choice”
Marosz Błyczovicz explained that the lack of an agreement would mean Washington's introduction of duties exceeding 30 percent, which – as he explained – would lead to gigantic political and economic tensions in Europe. On the same day, as negotiations, in the White House, President Trump announced new rules of commercial policy, assuming an exacerbation of import tariffs. “We had to adapt to these conditions, instead of risking catastrophic destabilization,” emphasized the Slovak politician.
He added that without this agreement, EU enterprises, especially small and medium, would be placed under incredible pressure, which could result in a loss of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of jobs. “I am one hundred percent convinced that this agreement is better than a trade war with the United States, “he noted, although he admitted that the agreement in its current shape is more favorable to the US interests.
Reactions in Europe: Divisions among leaders
The concluded agreement aroused numerous controversy among EU Member States. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou did not hide his disappointment, describing the agreement as a symbol of “subordination” of Europe towards Washington. Equally critical was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who found them worse compared to the previous US trade agreement with Great Britain. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noticed in her positives, emphasizing that The contract avoids the customs warwhich could affect the European automotive industry.
Depressed bosses assured that the European Commission had been in contact with the Member States throughout the entire negotiating process. “The world we knew before April 2 no longer exists, so it was necessary that we would adapt our approach and focus on strategic cooperation with our key partner,” he emphasized, referring to the date of the announcement of the new commercial policy by the White House. In his opinion, the agreement opens the way to a more stable and future transatlantic cooperation.
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Difficult conditions, but strategic stability
The terms of the agreement may raise reservations, but according to the boss's, the alternative would be much more severe for the EU. “In the event of the introduction of 30 % duties by the USA, the entire trade between the Union and StanamAnd ” – he assessed.
Despite the criticism of some of the EU leaders, among which France leads the lead, the agreement allows the European Union to avoid escalation of trade conflict with one of the key economic partners. “This is a contract that brings new stability and makes us look into the future with greater calmness,” summed up Slovak.
