EU-US 15% Tariff Deal Reported Amid Ongoing EU Negotiations

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement imposing a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the US, a reduction from the initially threatened 30%, bringing some relief but also dissatisfaction among European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the deal as only a first step, calling for continued negotiations and a firmer EU stance, especially regarding the services sector where the EU faces a trade deficit with the US. Macron emphasized the need for Europe to be 'feared' to achieve better trade terms and advocated deploying the EU's anti-coercion instrument against US services if necessary. While the deal brings short-term stability and exemptions for key sectors like aerospace, Macron and others remain cautious, highlighting unresolved structural inequities and the ongoing need for strategic rebalancing. The EU has suspended countermeasures against US products but remains prepared to reinstate them if negotiations falter. Overall, the agreement marks progress yet underscores persistent tensions and the complexity of transatlantic trade relations under President Trump’s administration.