Trump and von der Leyen offer conflicting accounts of EU–US trade agreement
A day after it was announced, confusion has emerged over key elements of the EU–US trade agreement, with Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen offering sharply diverging interpretations.
While both sides present the accord as a breakthrough in easing transatlantic tensions, their public statements reveal disagreement on critical issues ranging from pharmaceutical tariffs to metals and industrial goods.
On Sunday evening, Trump stated that the deal did not include pharmaceuticals, suggesting that these products may be subject to tariffs exceeding the agreed 15 per cent limit. However, von der Leyen told reporters that the 15 per cent cap applieed to most sectors, including cars, semiconductors and pharmaceutical products, describing it as a firm upper limit and stating that no accumulation would be permitted.
National security
Senior US officials told Bloomberg that the 15 per cent tariff did apply to pharmaceutical products, although a separate Section 232 investigation will be launched within three weeks. Such investigations assess whether imports threaten national security and may lead to additional restrictions. Similar reviews are under way for aerospace and semiconductor imports.
Disagreements also extend to other sectors. Trump claims that the current tariffs of 50 per cent on EU steel and aluminium imports will not be changed. However, von der Leyen insists that these duties will be reduced and replaced with a quota-based system. According to Bloomberg, the current deal excludes EU metal exports, meaning they will remain subject to the high tariffs.
Von der Leyen emphasised that Sunday’s agreement was merely a "framework" that will require further detailed negotiations in the months ahead.
"One thing is clear: this is a moment of relief but not of celebration"
Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever responded cautiously. "As we await full details of the new EU–US trade agreement, one thing is clear: this is a moment of relief but not of celebration. Tariffs will increase in several areas and some key questions remain unresolved."
He praised von der Leyen’s efforts, adding that he hoped "the United States will, in due course, turn away again from the delusion of protectionism and once again embrace the value of free trade – a cornerstone of shared prosperity".
German chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the agreement, saying it had averted a potentially damaging trade conflict, particularly for the German export sector. He noted that tariffs on European vehicles, which are currently at 27.5 per cent, will be reduced by almost half.
The French minister for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, offered a mixed reaction, describing the agreement as "temporarily stabilising" but "imbalanced".
In a post on X, he warned that Europe must "wake up", suggesting that regulatory burdens should be eased. Nevertheless, he welcomed the protection of strategic sectors such as aerospace, alcohol and pharmaceuticals, as well as safeguarding EU standards on digitalisation and public health.
© PHOTO BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP
Related news
