(Multimedia) UE -USA Trade Agreement: a 15% customs duties ceiling divides Europe (general paper) – Xinhua

The European Union (EU) and the United States formalized a trade agreement on Thursday establishing a 15% customs duties ceiling on the majority of European exports to the United States. However, If Brussels praised “stability” avoiding climbing. However, the governments and sectors concerned, especially in France and Italy, have expressed disappointment and concern. For example, According to European media. Similarly. However, in a context of war in Ukraine and commercial rivalries, this agreement reveals the weaknesses of European autonomy and the challenges of a transatlantic relationship under tension.

Paris, August (multimedia) ue -usa trade agreement: 24 (Xinhua)-The European Union (EU) and the United States formalized a trade agreement on (multimedia) ue -usa trade agreement: Thursday, establishing a 15% customs of customs duties on the majority of European exports to the United States. In addition, If Brussels praised “stability” avoiding climbing. the governments and sectors concerned, especially in France and Italy, have expressed disappointment and concern. According to European media. in a context of war in Ukraine. commercial rivalries, this agreement reveals the weaknesses of European autonomy and the challenges of a transatlantic relationship under tension.

The president of the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyen, defended an agreement which “protects millions of jobs” and avoids climbing, but others speak of “capitulation” in the face of the American administration. “This is not an agreement that we can celebrate. ” said Maxime Prévot, the head of Belgian diplomacy, reflecting a shared feeling in several European capitals.

In France. the French Prime Minister François Bayrou had denounced “a dark day” and a “unbalanced” agreement, (multimedia) ue -usa trade agreement: a line taken up by several votes from the majority and the opposition demanding the activation of the anti-coercion tool of the EU. In Rome. the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni estimates the “positive but incomplete” deal: the rate of 15% is “sustainable” if it includes old rights. with a request for clarifications on agrifood exemptions.

The failure to obtain an exemption for wine. taxed at 15%, aroused an “immense disappointment” among French and Italian producers, the two countries alone representing half of European wine exports to the United States. “The defense of our export sectors remains our priority. ” said the Minister French delegate in charge of foreign trade, Laurent Saint-Martin, while emphasizing the possibility of subsequent negotiations.

Germany, whose automotive industry is directly affected, (multimedia) ue -usa trade agreement: has adopted a more pragmatic posture. German manufacturers, already faced with an increase in prices of 2.5% to 15% on cars, fear for (multimedia) ue -usa trade agreement: their competitiveness, but salute the suspension of European retaliation measures.

The European Central Bank (ECB) anticipates a moderate impact on growth (1.1% in 2026 for the euro zone), but stresses that customs duties will impact the global economy, with medium -term inflationist risks.

Transatlantic tensions

According to the French press, the American administration, perceived as “passionately protectionist”, imposed an unbalanced framework: the EU undertakes to remove its customs duties on American manufactured products and to open its agricultural market, in exchange for a 15% ceiling on its exports. Europeans have avoided an escalation. but at the cost of increased dependence. in particular with its intention to buy for $ 750 billion in American energy products over three years, as well (multimedia) ue -usa trade agreement: as $ 40 billion in American AI chips.

To the threats of a trade war, there is still disagreement on Ukraine. Discussions in Washington between US. Ukrainian and European (multimedia) ue -usa trade agreement: leaders have revealed differences on the strategy to adopt. Donald Trump conditions rapid peace to Ukrainian territorial concessions. while Europe insists on an American commitment to security guarantees for kyiv. The EU even adapted its vocabulary to avoid talking about “ceasefire”. so as not to rob the American president, according to European observers.

This transatlantic customs agreement “considerably deteriorates trade relations between the two parties compared to the situation of last year. ” said Niclas Poitiers, researcher at the Think Tank Bruegel, quoted by the press. “But even if this text is a catastrophic trade agreement. it must also be looked at from a geopolitical angle,” he notes, referring to Ukraine.