Trump Threatens New Tariffs Amid EU Trade Deal Fallout
Amid escalating tensions, former President Donald Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on countries he believes are discriminating against American companies through digital regulations. This marks a significant shift in the transatlantic trade relationship, coming just weeks after Washington and Brussels finalized a trade deal imposing a baseline 15 percent tariff on EU exports to the U.S., reports 24brussels.
Trump’s statements on Monday caught EU officials off guard, following the recent joint announcement solidifying their trade agreement. Over the past few months, the Trump administration has criticized the European Union’s digital legislation, asserting that the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act censor American citizens and create unfair barriers for U.S. firms.
France has been at the forefront of advocating for a firmer stance against Trump regarding trade issues. Nevertheless, the majority of EU member states remain reluctant to engage in an all-out trade war, which has led Brussels to withhold imposing retaliatory tariffs or activating the Anti-Coercion Instrument. This measure could potentially limit the intellectual property rights of U.S. technology giants or restrict their investments within the EU.
During a period of heightened transatlantic trade tensions, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen remarked that “all instruments are on the table” to address Trump’s position, although she has since avoided taking a hardline approach to maintain diplomatic engagement concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron has privately expressed dissatisfaction with the trade deal realized with Trump, indicating that Europe “was not feared enough” to secure a more favorable agreement. Macron is anticipated to discuss this concern with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz later this week during a two-day retreat at Fort Brégançon and in the southern city of Toulon.