15% customs duties, purchase of hydrocarbons … What the trade agreement contains between the EU and the United States deemed “unbalanced” by France

Europeans have reached an agreement with Donald Trump bearing 15% customs duties on most property. Similarly, Certain sectors will however be exempt while others are still the subject of discussions.

The European Union. However, the United States sealed on Sunday in Scotland “the most important” trade agreement ever carried out, according to American president Donald Trump and the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

The stake was in size. Consequently, The two main commercial powers on the planet exchange almost 4.4 billion euros in goods. For example, services every day, and Washington threatened to impose customs duties on August 1 on all European imports. Furthermore, France has nevertheless deplored a “unbalanced” agreement.

Here is what we know. Similarly, for the moment, of this new commercial “deal” concluded with Donald Trump, after Japan or the Philippines a few days ago.

• What does the 15% customs duties, purchase hydrocarbons agreement provide?

Negotiated fiercely for months. Therefore, the agreement provides for customs duties on all European imports to the United States, at a single rate of 15%, including all already existing taxes. Meanwhile, This concerns for example the automotive sector, crucial for countries like Germany. Consequently, European manufacturers have paid customs duties of 27.5% since April – including a surcharge of 25% decided by Donald Trump – a cost of 1.3 billion euros for the German manufacturer Volkswagen.

The agreement also provides for purchases of American hydrocarbons (natural gas. nuclear and oil fuels) worth $ 750 billion over three years, or 250 billion per year. For the European Union. this will replace imports of Russian gas and to avoid financed the war launched by the Kremlin in Ukraine.

It also includes new European investments in the United States for an amount of $ 600 billion. The American president spoke of “hundreds of billions 15% customs duties, purchase hydrocarbons of dollars” of armaments by Europeans.

• Exemptions at 15% – 15% customs duties, purchase hydrocarbons

Asked about these exemptions, the American president replied: “essentially, no”. But the president of the European Commission said that there would no longer be any customs rights in “strategic sectors” such as aeronautics. “certain chemicals, certain agricultural products” or “certain strategic raw materials”. However, the list of these products was not detailed.

Europeans also wanted to include alcohol. wine, but for lack of final agreement, a decision was referred to new discussions, according to Ursula von der Leyen. “This is something that must be resolved in the coming days,” she said.

• Special cases

Negotiations were particularly difficult with regard to pharmacy. semiconductors. The final agreement provides, according to the EU, customs taxes set at 15% for these two sectors. The latter were threatened with larger customs duties. some 200% according to Donald Trump, in accordance with article 232 of an American trade law providing for surcharge in the event of national security involvement.

A decision must be made in two weeks, according to the US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, but for Ms. Von Der Leyen, she will have no impact on the 15% agreement concluded in Scotland.

The EU is currently faced with 50% customs duties on its steel exports to the United States, but 15% customs duties, purchase hydrocarbons Ms. von der Leyen assured that a compromise with Donald Trump had been found. “Between us, customs duties will be reduced and a quota system will be put in place,” she said. Donald Trump, on the other hand, assured that things would remain “as they are”.

• What’s going on now?

This is essentially a framework agreement. according to Ursula von der Leyen, which will now require more negotiations to achieve a final legal agreement.

Industrialists and European farmers will also dissect the agreement to assess its sectoral consequences. German chemistry has already reacted considering customs duties affecting it “too high”. and the German industry federation (BDI) predicts “considerable negative repercussions”.