If anyone was hoping for a warm Euro-American friendship after the latest deal, they were waiting in vain: Washington has once again pulled out its “wishlist” for the EU.
Trump’s administration confidently declared its intention of “mutual, fair, and balanced” trade. Translated from diplomatic language, that means major concessions. In practice, Europe will have to search for new forms of compromise.
The details of the US demands have not been revealed yet. What is known, however, is that Trump wants to discuss everything with the EU — from digital regulations and corporate ethics to climate policy. For the European Union, this is already close to a red line: the talks risk turning into a game of “who gives up first.”
On the bright side, European cars will get a preferential 15% tariff instead of the alarming 25%. So, BMW owners can now breathe easier. The pharmaceutical sector is also promised some relief, and in return, Europe is offering to cut tariffs on particular US industrial goods — though only if the European Parliament does not decide that “no goods at all” is the best form of trade.
Nevertheless, anxiety is growing behind the scenes. The US seems to be preparing a stealthy expansion of tariffs, targeting steel stampings, medical equipment, and essentially anything that can be measured and taxed with a comfortable 50% rate.
