Dark Day for Europe as Trump Tariffs Triple in EU-US Trade Deal

The European Union has come under intense criticism from within its own ranks following the announcement of a new US-EU trade arrangement, described by French Prime Minister François Bayrou as a “dark day” for the bloc. The agreement, initiated in a high-stakes summit at Donald Trump’s Scottish golf resort, will see tariffs on European exports to the US jump from an average of 4.8 percent to a striking 15 percent. This follows President Trump’s ultimatum threatening an even steeper 30 percent tariff if no deal was secured by his set deadline.

Bayrou articulated his disappointment on social media, lamenting Europe’s acquiescence to US demands and the loss of strategic equilibrium with its key transatlantic partner. His remarks revealed sharp divisions within the EU’s leadership. While the French premier condemned the outcome as submission to American pressure, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the agreement as a lesser evil, averting what could have been a full-blown trade war. Merz, however, admitted that Germany faces significant challenges under the new tariff regime, though he conceded that greater concessions could not be expected given the circumstances.

Stock markets initially rallied on news of the deal, as investors breathed a sigh of relief at the avoidance of damaging escalation. Early gains in indices such as Germany’s Dax and France’s Cac 40 were short-lived, reversing as dissatisfaction from Paris became public and broader concerns about the deal’s terms surfaced. The euro fell nearly one percent against the US dollar, highlighting the perceived imbalance of the agreement.

The specifics of the deal will see the 15 percent tariff applied to seventy percent of European goods exported to the US. Certain key sectors have been shielded, with zero tariffs retained for EU aircraft parts, some chemicals, semiconductor equipment and particular agricultural products such as cork. The pharmaceutical industry in Europe secured a significant reprieve. Exports in this sector will initially remain duty free while a US investigation is ongoing, and any future tariffs would be capped at fifteen percent.

Despite these exemptions, widespread unease remains, especially among French officials. European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad called for the activation of the EU’s anti-coercion instruments, advocating for non-tariff retaliation. Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin criticised the approach taken by Brussels, stating that a firmer response to American pressure could have produced a more equitable result. Both French and Italian analysts described the final arrangement as asymmetrical, disproportionately favouring the US.

Other important industries such as steel and the wine and spirits sector are yet to see a full resolution, with current tariffs remaining in place while further negotiations ensue. Agriculture barriers for US imports also persist, save for a handful of exceptions expected to be finalised shortly. Markets, analysts and politicians alike agree: while the deal ends months of crippling uncertainty, it does so at significant cost and poses longer-term questions about the balance of power in global trade.