Tariff agreement between the EU and the US sparks backlash in Europe

The European Union plans to give “preferential access” to its market to certain U.S. agricultural products such as dairy, pork, fruits and vegetables, nuts, and other agricultural goods not considered sensitive for the European economy.

This was reflected in the joint declaration adopted by the European Commission and the White House, which put in writing the agreement reached in July by the EU and the United States to avoid a tariff war, in which U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened the European Union with across-the-board tariffs of 30% and up to 200% in some sectors.

The pact establishes that the United States will apply a maximum tariff of 15% on the vast majority of imports of European goods, including agricultural products and, among them, also wines and spirits, despite Brussels’ particular insistence that this sector be excluded, Efe reported.

Reactions to the agreement came quickly in Europe, with Copa-Cogeca stating that “it brings nothing to the EU’s agricultural sector.” They added that the deal “grants better market access for U.S. agri-food products, while EU producers face higher tariffs, now reaching 15%, on key export products. This unilateral outcome is not only unjustified but also deeply damaging for a sector already under pressure from rising costs, regulatory constraints, and growing global competition.”