European socialists can thwart the plans of Ursula von der Leyen. The trade agreement with Trump hangs in the Italian
– We definitely oppose this contract – said Politico Iratxe Garcia Perez, chairwoman of the Parliamentary Group of Socialists and Democrats (S&D).
The socialist's opposition threatens the EU efforts to present the pact as a protection of transatlantic unity against Moscow. It also deepens the discrepancy with center -right allies von der Leyen from the European People's Party (EPL) – who support the agreement – and who in the past cooperated with S&D to implement a moderate program.
The stalemate appeared only a few weeks after von der Leyen had to undertake long -term obligations regarding social expenses to ensure the support of socialists and gain an advantage in the vote on the application for a vote of distrust.
S&D lost its influence in the European elections in 2024, when the change in the election situation was enabled by EPL solutions with the support of groups from the right side of the political scene. With the decrease in their presence in the commission and national governments Socialists are increasingly harshly criticizing the EU and EPL executive power – And they are ready to use their remaining political strength to obtain political concessions.
Since the signing of the Transatlantic Trade Agreement at the Trump Golf Center in Turnberry Brussels, he has been dealing with the allegations that she succumbed to Washington and did not use the EU economic poweras a market of 450 million people to respond to Trump's aggressive negotiating tactics.
Garcia Perez's commentary appeared after Trump threatened last week that he would raise countries that would introduce regulations and taxes regarding digital technologies discriminating against American enterprises. She emphasized that the EU should use its strongest trading weapon, an instrument for preventing coercion to respond to Trump's intimidation. “Trump will use every sign of weakness to escalate the trade war,” she added.
The rebellion of Garcia Perez took place after the criticism of the trade agreement by Teresa Riber, the highest -ranking socialist in the von der Leyen committee. Ribera, who supervises the competition policy, told the daily the Financial Times last Friday that The EU must be ready to withdraw from the contractif Trump realizes its threats on technology.
On Monday, the chairman of the European Council Antonio Costa – also a socialist – said that he understood “the frustration of many Europeans who believe that the Union was too passive in shaping events this summer in the field of trade, relations with the USA and Ukraine.”
Costa, the former prime minister of Portugal, who currently represents the interests of the EU rule, said in a speech in Slovenia that Washington's attack on the EU in connection with its technological regulations is excessive regulatory interference and censorship. – Our partners – including the United States – must know that the EU will always defend their sovereignty, its citizens, their enterprises and their values - said Costa. – Diplomacy should never be confused with complacency.
Chairman of the European Council Antonio Costa, Lisbon, Portugal, August 19, 2025.
According to the contract, most EU exports are subject to a 15 % US customs tariff. To complete its part of the contract, the EU should adopt regulations tolerate all customs for American industrial goods, including a 10 % customs duty to American cars, and facilitate access to the market of certain agricultural products and seafood.
– Looking more broadly, socialists have good reasons to oppose this agreement, because it is not clear what were the reasons why von der Leyen gave up the EU orientation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and went to such enormous concessions in exchange for security guarantees, which are not visible in any way – noted David Kleimann, senior trade expert in Brussels Think Tank Odi Europe.
Kleimann thus referred to fear that the contract is contrary to the global trade principles entered in the WTO.
Difficult fight
The nearest test for the contract will be voting parliament over the bill presented last week by the Commission regarding the abolition of customs duties on American industrial goods – which is a preliminary condition for Washington to reduce customs duties on European cars from 27.5 percent. up to 15 percent
Because cars are the largest transatlantic export of the largest block of the block, Germany, the rate is high.
Bernd Lange, a German MP S&D, who chaired the Commission for Trade in the EP, warned that Brussels must be ready for quick action, If Washington does not keep the promise to reduce duties on cars – and especially if Trump takes actions against EU regulatory sovereignty in terms of digital or ecological technologies.
MPs will have the first opportunity to vent their frustration when Sabine Weyand, the highest clerk in the commission trade department, will make a statement on Wednesday before the committee, chaired by Lange.
Lange himself emphasized that if the United States does not lower his duties to European cars, “then we will not lower 10 % American duties. This is clear.”
For the act adopted, a simple majority of votes is required. If von der Leyen fails to convince the S&D group to support the trade agreement, its party, along with moderate coalition allies who chose it for the second term, will need the votes of a right -wing group of European conservatives and reformers, and the extreme right -wing patriots for Europe to ensure its acceptance.
– S&D has always been more critical of the United States, who are trying to force the EU to take their position. In general, they are more opposed than the transatlantic EPP on the other side that would like to maintain this truce – added Kleimann.
EPP, the political family of von der Leyen, generally supports the agreement, But he also reports some fears. – I support the Commission in her efforts to ensure predictability in trade with one of our most important partners, but I am concerned about the compliance of the agreement with the rules [Światowej Organizacji Handlu]which I am currently analyzing – said Jorgen Warborn, head of the EPL trade policy.
