The new EU-US tariff agreement has drawn mixed reactions from European leaders. While Romania's Prime Minister praises it as a positive sign, Hungary's Viktor Orbán criticizes it, claiming the EU succumbed to US pressure. The agreement, announced during a meeting between Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen, imposes a 15% tariff on EU goods, excluding certain items like pharmaceuticals. Sweden's Trade Minister Benjamin Dousa acknowledges the agreement's drawbacks but considers it the least harmful option.
EU-US Tariff Agreement Sparks Mixed Reactions Among European Leaders
EU-US Tariff Agreement Sparks Mixed Reactions Among European Leaders
The new EU tariff agreement with the US has received both praise and criticism from leading European politicians. Romania's Prime Minister hails the agreement as a "positive sign," while Hungary's leader Viktor Orbán criticizes it.
"Donald Trump ate Ursula von der Leyen for breakfast," he says according to the BBC.
The announcement of the agreement came on Sunday when Donald Trump hosted EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen at his resort in Scotland. It means the US will impose a 15% tariff on all goods from the EU, with exceptions for certain items, such as pharmaceuticals.
Several European leaders are now reacting to the agreement.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is cautiously optimistic.
"I think it's good that there is an agreement, but without all the details, I can't assess it properly," she says according to the BBC.
Romania's Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also welcomes the agreement.
"It feels like a positive sign. It eliminates the current uncertainty that has caused disruptions and insecurity in transatlantic trade relations," writes Bolojan's staff according to Reuters.
France: A Dark Day
Other leaders are more critical, including France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou.
"It is a dark day when an alliance of free people, united to affirm their common values and defend their interests, succumbs to submission," writes Bayrou on X.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also believes the EU has given in to American pressure.
"This is not an agreement. Donald Trump ate von der Leyen for breakfast, that's what happened and what we suspected would happen," he says and continues:
"The US President is a heavyweight when it comes to negotiations while Madame President is as light as a feather."
Dousa (M): The Least Bad
Sweden's Trade Minister Benjamin Dousa (M) commented on the agreement on Sunday. He sees both pros and cons with the new tariffs.
"One must be clear that the US is now imposing the highest tariffs against Europe in nearly 70 years. This agreement makes no one richer, but it is perhaps the least bad option."