Headlines
European leaders react to US-EU trade deal
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 28, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
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Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 28, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
European leaders react to a US-EU trade deal imposing a 15% tariff, impacting global trade and averting a larger conflict.
(Reuters) -The U.S. struck a framework trade agreement with the European Union on Sunday, imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods and averting a bigger trade war between the two allies that account for almost a third of global trade.
Following are reactions from European leaders to the deal.
FRENCH PRIME MINISTER FRANCOIS BAYROU
"It is a sombre day when an alliance of free peoples, brought together to affirm their common values and to defend their common interests, resigns itself to submission."
HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN
"This is not an agreement ... Donald Trump ate von der Leyen for breakfast, this is what happened and we suspected this would happen as the U.S. president is a heavyweight when it comes to negotiations while Madame President is featherweight."
GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ
"This agreement has succeeded in averting a trade conflict that would have hit the export-orientated German economy hard.
This applies in particular to the automotive industry, where the current tariffs of 27.5% will be almost halved to 15%."
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI
"I consider it positive that there is an agreement, but if I don't see the details I am not able to judge it in the best way."
FINNISH PRIME MINISTER PETTERI ORPO
"The agreement brings much-needed predictability to the global economy and Finnish companies. Work must continue to dismantle trade barriers. Only free transatlantic trade benefits both sides the most."
SWEDISH TRADE MINISTER BENJAMIN DOUSA
"This agreement does not make anyone richer, but it may be the least bad alternative. What appears to be positive for Sweden, based on an initial assessment, is that the agreement creates some predictability."
IRISH TRADE MINISTER SIMON HARRIS
"A deal provides a measure of much needed certainty for Irish, European and American businesses who together represent the most integrated trading relationship in the world.
While Ireland regrets that the baseline tariff of 15% is included in the agreement, it is important that we now have more certainty on the foundations for the EU-US trade relationship, which is essential for jobs, growth and investment."
(Reporting by Reuters bureauxEditing by Ros Russell)
The US has struck a framework trade agreement with the EU, imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods, which helps avert a larger trade war.
Reactions vary; some leaders express concern over the agreement's implications, while others see it as a necessary step to avoid conflict.
He stated that the agreement has successfully prevented a trade conflict that would have severely impacted Germany's export-oriented economy, especially the automotive sector.
Viktor Orban criticized the agreement, suggesting that it reflects a power imbalance in negotiations, implying that the U.S. had the upper hand.
Simon Harris noted that while the 15% baseline tariff is regrettable, the agreement provides much-needed certainty for businesses in Ireland, Europe, and the U.S.
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