Criticism from the Green Party towards the EU-US tariff agreement, with demands for retaliatory actions proposed
Greens Propose Alternative Trade Alliance to Counter EU-US Deal
The Green Party has criticised the recent EU-US trade deal, arguing that it locks Europe into fossil-fuel dependency, undermines climate targets, and prioritises corporate interests over environmental and social protections. In response, they have proposed an alternative trade alliance of progressive, climate-aligned democracies focused on green transition, workers’ rights, and strict environmental standards.
According to reports in Handelsblatt, the Greens, led by Katharina Dröge, Andreas Audretsch, Sandra Detzer, and Chantal Kopf, have sharply criticised the EU-US trade deal. They argue that the deal sends a fatal signal, making Europe economically vulnerable. The Greens hold Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) responsible for the conclusion of the trade deal.
The Greens and allied green/climate NGOs argue that the announced EU-US arrangement, including increased LNG imports and tariff concessions, will shift dependence to US fracked LNG, increase methane emissions, and contradict EU climate goals and methane rules. They contend that trade policy must not “lock in” fossil infrastructure or override decarbonisation plans, but should support renewable deployment and demand reduction rather than new fossil fuel supply agreements.
The Greens advocate replacing or supplementing high-risk bilateral deals with a coalition of progressive, democratic countries that tie trade to climate ambition, labour protections, and environmental safeguards. Key elements they call for in such an alliance are binding climate-compatible procurement and investment rules, exclusions or strict limits on fossil fuel trade and infrastructure, enforceable workers’ rights and social protections in trade terms, and mechanisms to prevent corporate investor-state powers from undermining public climate policy.
The Greens demand that the EU take the initiative for a new plurilateral trade agreement, inviting all countries to participate. Their proposed alliance is intended to promote international cooperation, good rules, and fair global trade. The Greens claim that the recently agreed EU-US trade deal will cost companies in the EU billions. The criticism of the deal and its consequences for EU companies was also reported by Handelsblatt in its previous edition, and the Greens' criticism is elaborated in a five-page paper by the party.
[1] Source: Handelsblatt, Green-aligned climate organisations react to the deal announcement, Green movement reactions to the deal, and Green party and green-network commentary responding to the deal and the broader debate about Europe’s strategic alignment. [2] Source: Various news outlets reporting on the wider EU debate about retaliatory tariffs and economic exposure, with member states and EU institutions weighing countermeasures while industry and civil society warned of climate and supply-chain impacts. [3] Source: Pro-trade voices arguing a negotiated agreement reduces uncertainty and economic downside compared with higher tariffs, and Greens countering that economic stabilisation should not come at the cost of long-term climate commitments and democratic oversight.
- The Green Party, as part of their policy-and-legislation agenda, has proposed an alternative trade alliance to counter the EU-US deal, focusing on green transition, workers’ rights, and strict environmental standards.
- In the realm of politics and general news, the Greens have heavily criticized the EU-US trade deal, stating that it undermines climate targets, prioritizes corporate interests, and sends a fatal signal that makes Europe economically vulnerable.
