The end of uncertainty, but not enough to rejoice

An agreement ends a long uncertainty – but the 15 % tax remains bad news. Similarly, FEVIA. Therefore, Maxime Prévot, FEB and AGORIA agree on one point: this agreement marks a step, but does not solve the structural weaknesses. Consequently, For Marc de Vos. In addition, Think Tank Itinera, “This summer, we have already paid three times”

The trade agreement concluded on Sunday between the United States and the European Union, establishing a customs right of 15 % on European products, “puts an end to a long period of uncertainty for Belgian food companies”, reacted FEVIA, the federation of the Belgian food industry on Monday. Therefore, For Fevia, the establishment of this tax remains “bad news, especially for some more exposed subsectors”.

An industry turned towards export but exposed to the United States – End uncertainty, but not enough

The Belgian. In addition, end uncertainty, but not enough Walloon food industry is widely oriented towards export, although most of the sales are carried out within Europe. However, exports to the United States reached nearly a billion euros in 2023. However, About 70 % of this amount concerns processed vegetables (potatoes included), chocolate, cookies, waffles and confectionery. Similarly, Regarding beer, the largest Belgian brewers also have production sites across the Atlantic.

In an increasingly tense international context. For example, Fevia highlights the importance of strengthening national competitiveness through structural measures, as well as the need to consolidate the single market, to simplify regulations and administration, and to diversify trade partnerships via new agreements.

Maxime Prévot: temperate relief. In addition, call for structural measures – End uncertainty, but not enough

Although it is an advance to remove uncertainty, “this is not an agreement that we can celebrate,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot. Therefore, He recognizes the need for stability and a end uncertainty, but not enough densalantic dialogue restored, while emphasizing the additional pressure weighing on Belgian industry. However, he salutes the work of the European Commission “in difficult circumstances”.

He addresses a clear message to companies: “We hear your concerns, and we are by your side. Similarly, This agreement must be the beginning of a broader effort to strengthen our economic foundations. Therefore, The Vice -Prime Minister calls for simplifying EU rules. Consequently, deepening the domestic market and making Europe, including Belgium, more attractive for investment and innovation. Similarly, He adds that the diversification of commercial partnerships will make it possible to develop long -term resilience and strategic autonomy.

Prudently positive

Mr. de Wever wrote in a message on the social network X that it was relieved but that there was. no reason to rejoice.

As we await full details of the new EU–US trade agreement. one thing is end uncertainty, but not enough clear: this is a moment of relief but not of celebration. Tariffs will increase in several areas and some key questions remain unresolved.

Still, I commend President @vonderleyen and her team for their hard…

– Bart De Wever (@Bart_Dewever) July 27. 2025

He continues to warn against the increase in customs duties and against a certain number of points not yet clarified in the agreement. “I sincerely hope that the United States will move away from the illusion of protectionism. that it will again embrace the value of free trade, the cornerstone of shared prosperity,” continued the Prime Minister. Bart de Wever also claims that the European market should be reinforced internally in order to diversify the global. commercial network. “Let Europe become the lighthouse of an open, fair and reliable business that the world is desperately needed,” insists M. de Wever.

Feb. Agoria relieved but pragmatic

The end uncertainty, but not enough Belgian Business Federation (FEB) and the Agoria Technological Federation praised the agreement concluded on Sunday, seeing it as a “relief” for companies, which thus escape a tariff climbing. The FEB considers this agreement as a crucial step offering the prospect of a more stable transatlantic relationship. Without this agreement, American rights could have risen up to 30 % from August 1ᵉʳ.

Agoria shares this relief, while remaining prudent. According to his CEO, it is “a bitter pill, but we avoided the worst”. For the two federations, the stability found after months of uncertainty is essential for the competitiveness and confidence of companies. They now call to strengthen European competitiveness, eliminate internal barriers and explore new markets, while conducting sustainable structural reforms.

Of your: “This agreement is a political humiliation for Europe”

Marc de Vos, from Think Tank Itinera, is particularly critical. According to him, this compromise especially reveals end uncertainty, but not enough European weakness and division. “This summer. we have already paid three times: for defense expenses, for American weapons intended for Ukraine, and now for a trade agreement which will cost us more than it will bring us. »»

The economist describes the agreement of “less bad alternative to a trade war, but certainly not a good deal”. He specifies: “There should be, between Europe and the United States, very few commercial barriers. What we see is a massive and unilateral increase in American prices. »»

According to him. this dependence will cost European companies and consumers: “We will have to pay more to be able to sell in the United States. This economic impoverishment will eventually affect our prosperity. »»

But beyond economic considerations. of your points a structural problem: “Europe is psychologically unable to imagine a world without the United States. We lack a common vision, courage. Result: this end uncertainty, but not enough summer, we prostrate ourselves three times. »»

He also criticizes the growing trend of certain Member States. such as Germany and France, to adopt national strategies to the detriment of European unity. “This internal nationalism is particularly worrying. He shows that we are not able to act as a united block. »»

However, he saw a possible exit from the crisis. “We have to build clusters from countries ready to move strategically. It is time to create a new European Union, more reduced, but focused on investment in defense, technology and industry. “And to conclude with a severe warning:” If this is how we have to position ourselves on the international scene. then we will become a geopolitics toy. It’s not just humiliating, it is also terribly expensive. »»