US Secures Higher Tariffs in Trade Deals with EU, Japan

President Donald Trump has successfully reshaped U.S. trade relations through landmark deals with the European Union and Japan, imposing 15% tariffs on imports while maintaining near-zero tariffs on American exports. These agreements have led to increased customs revenue and commitments from the EU to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S., including in energy purchases and defense spending, marking a strategic use of tariffs to negotiate better terms for American businesses. While the EU deal is seen as a significant win for Trump’s trade agenda, some European leaders have expressed dissatisfaction, indicating potential fragility in the agreements. Critics note that these deals do not address certain American grievances like digital taxes and regulatory barriers, and there are concerns tariffs may raise costs for U.S. consumers. Nonetheless, these developments reflect a fundamental shift in the global trade order, with major economies accepting higher tariffs to maintain access to the U.S. market, signaling a new era of trade leverage employed by the Trump administration. The long-term durability of these trade victories remains uncertain amid mixed reactions from U.S. allies.