EU anticipates a shift in stance from the White House
The EU-US trade agreement, finalized in July 2025, has stirred debate and concern across Europe. The deal, which includes a 15% tariff on many EU goods and a $750 billion commitment to buy U.S. energy over three years, has had mixed impacts on EU-US relations and European citizens' trust in Brussels.
Many EU member states believe the EU has no choice but to align itself with the US due to transactional politics. This sentiment is particularly strong in the case of the trade agreement, where the EU is making concessions with the Trump administration, hoping for better days ahead. However, Gusty Graas, Member of Parliament for the Democratic Party in Luxembourg, suggests that the EU should become more autonomous and proactive in its dealings with the US.
The agreement is seen as the US imposing its will on European policy through threats rather than collaboration. Charles Goerens, Member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg, criticizes the EU for capitulating to US pressure in trade negotiations. This sentiment is shared by Michel Catala, Professor of contemporary European history, who believes that the US seems to be moving away from its values and the foundations of the common alliance.
Victor Negrescu, Vice-President of the European Parliament - EPP, Romania, is confident that the relationship with the US will remain strong. Remigijus Motuzas, Chairman of the Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasizes the importance of preserving the transatlantic link with the US. However, Graas believes that the EU must show its strength to the outside world and expects difficulties in relations with the US in the coming years.
The immediate impact on EU-US relations is a short-term strategic alignment focused on defense cooperation and securing the US role in NATO. This military-security lens partly explains Europe's economic concessions as a trade-off to maintain US commitment in European security. However, the deal’s economic terms—especially the 15% tariff on key European exports like cars, wine, and machinery—have raised political concerns within the EU.
Many European businesses and policymakers see the concessions as one-sided and economically costly, fueling skepticism about the EU leadership's negotiation effectiveness and long-term strategy. For European citizens, these concessions risk undermining trust in Brussels. The perceived sacrifice of economic cohesion and national interests to appease the Trump administration may be interpreted as Brussels prioritizing short-term US relations over European economic well-being and political unity.
In terms of future implications, this deal may deepen economic asymmetries and political divisions within the EU, potentially weakening cohesion. It could also set a precedent for future EU-US negotiations, signifying that strategic security alliances might come at the cost of economic compromises. Politically, European leaders may face domestic pressure to recalibrate their approach to transatlantic relations or to seek greater autonomy from US influence.
In summary, the EU’s concessions to the Trump administration have temporarily stabilized EU-US security ties but at a notable economic and political cost to European cohesion and citizens’ trust in Brussels, with uncertain long-term consequences. The debate continues as European leaders grapple with finding a balance between security cooperation and economic self-interest in their relationship with the US.
Sources: [1] The Washington Post [2] The Guardian [3] Financial Times [4] European Parliament Research Service
- The European Parliament is faced with criticism for its approach towards the US, with some members suggesting that it should become more autonomous and proactive in its dealings, like Gusty Graas of the Democratic Party in Luxembourg.
- The EU-US trade agreement has raised concerns within the European Parliament, particularly over the perceived economic costs and concessions made, which may impact citizens' trust in Brussels and potentially fuel political divisions within the EU.
