EU’s trade deal saw Von der Leyen accept terms that weaken Europe’s trade position
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and US president Donald Trump in Scotland on July 27, 2025. Photo: Getty
Back in April, Donald Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariff blitz drew sneers in Europe. No one’s laughing now.
Following the EU’s climbdown at the trade talks, the bloc has agreed to more than triple the unweighted tariff on US trade – from 4.8pc to 15pc. To cut the wound deeper, the euro has strengthened against the dollar by 12pc this year, making European exports to the US even more expensive.