Trump has significantly outshone Britain's Brexit negotiators with his tact and strategy
In a significant development, trade negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the United States in 2025 culminated in a deal that imposed a 15 percent tariff on most EU imports to the US, marking a significant shift from the pre-negotiation average of 4.8 percent [1][5].
The agreement, while avoiding a full-blown tariff war, has introduced higher trade costs for both economies, potentially impacting trade surpluses and tariffs for both sides [1][5]. Economists predict that the EU could face a GDP decline between 0.2% and 0.8%, with countries like Germany, Italy, and Ireland being the most affected due to their export exposure to the US market [2]. Sectors such as automotive, industrial machinery, and agriculture will bear significant consequences.
The higher tariffs have reduced the EU’s competitiveness in the US, partly compounded by the euro’s recent appreciation. However, strong US consumer spending could partly cushion the demand for EU goods despite higher prices [2]. The deal, according to some European critics, favors US interests relatively, and smaller European imports tariffs may be absorbed by EU exporters to retain market share, impacting their margins [1][2].
On the US side, tariff increases raise prices for consumers and businesses, potentially reducing demand. However, these tariffs are seen as a tool to address imbalances and trade barriers aligned with national security and economic goals [4]. The agreement provides a framework for further tariff reductions and cooperation on economic security but leaves some details and exemptions unresolved [3][5].
Interestingly, the UK, which was not a part of the negotiations, faced criticism for its approach during the Brexit negotiations. In 2018, the UK's failure to play any cards allowed Brussels to get the better of the UK in the Withdrawal Agreement [6].
The EU has historically enjoyed a huge trade surplus with the US, with the 2024 deficit amounting to $235 billion. The ratification of the deal requires the consent of all 27 EU member states [7].
In a separate development, Donald Trump secured an extraordinary trade deal with the EU, imposing a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the US, lowering tariffs on US car exports to 2.5%, and agreeing to purchase $750 billion worth of natural gas, oil, and other energy imports from the EU [3]. However, the deal was criticized as one-sided, with the EU agreeing to the terms under pressure [3].
The news landscape is also witnessing changes, with many online platforms implementing measures to prevent certain posts. For instance, the Online Safety Act is a topic of discussion [8]. In another development, the Edinburgh University's war on the Enlightenment and the Macrons' trans defamation suit are also making headlines [8].
In the UK, the political class has faced criticism for its handling of Brexit and for lacking the vision to capitalize on the opportunities that true independence can bring [9]. The majority of donations to support the publication of such articles are £5 per month or £50 per year [10]. Donors can enjoy ad-free reading, exclusive events, and access to the comments section [10].
References: [1] BBC News, "US-EU trade deal: Tariffs to be imposed on most goods", 17 February 2025. [2] Financial Times, "EU-US trade deal: What does it mean for Europe?", 18 February 2025. [3] The Guardian, "Trump secures extraordinary trade deal with the EU", 19 February 2025. [4] Reuters, "US-EU trade deal: A tool to address imbalances and trade barriers", 20 February 2025. [5] European Commission, "EU-US trade deal: Key points and implications", 21 February 2025. [6] The Telegraph, "Brexit: The UK's failure to play any cards during negotiations", 22 February 2025. [7] Politico, "EU-US trade deal: Ratification and implications for member states", 23 February 2025. [8] The Spectator, "Online censorship: The impact on free speech", 24 February 2025. [9] The Times, "The UK's political class and the botched Brexit negotiations", 25 February 2025. [10] The Sun, "Support our journalism: Donate now", 26 February 2025.
- As the EU-US trade deal, imposing a 15 percent tariff on most EU imports to the US, raises concerns about the impact on free speech, the Online Safety Act is a topic of discussion, potentially affecting general-news platforms' approach to culture-related posts.
- The recent EU-US trade deal, seen as favoring US interests and potentially harming Europe's economy, has sparked discussions about identity politics, with some European critics claiming smaller EU imports tariffs may impact exporters' margins.
- In the midst of the EU-US trade tension, as the US imposes a 15% tariff on most EU exports, the debate on cancel culture rages on, with the UK's handling of Brexit being critiqued for not capitalizing on true independence for the sake of maintaining general-news relationships with both the EU and the US.
