EU-US Tariff Deal 'Unsatisfactory' and 'Imbalanced': Senior EU Lawmaker

Brussels: A top European Union lawmaker has strongly criticised a draft trade agreement between the EU and the United States, warning that it could jeopardise the bloc’s economic stability and job security.

Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, labelled the proposed agreement as “unsatisfactory” and “significantly imbalanced.” The deal reportedly includes a 15% tariff on all EU exports to the US—a sharp increase from current average rates—while the EU would eliminate tariffs on American goods.

“This is a one-sided deal. Concessions have been made that are difficult to accept,” Lange said in a statement on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier announced the agreement, which allows Washington to impose a 15?seline tariff on EU imports. In contrast, the EU has pledged to maintain zero tariffs on a range of strategic American exports, according to Xinhua news agency.

Although both leaders praised the deal as a move toward restoring “trade balance,” Lange noted that it disproportionately benefits the US. The EU has also committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of American energy and to invest an additional $600 billion in the US economy.

Lange pointed out that while Trump initially presented the tariff as across-the-board, he later exempted key sectors such as steel and pharmaceuticals.

He acknowledged that increased EU purchases of US liquefied natural gas were expected, as Europe continues its shift away from Russian fossil fuels. However, he condemned the additional $600 billion in planned EU investments—particularly those related to US military technology—as being against European economic interests.

Lange compared the deal’s pressure tactics to those used by Washington in recent trade negotiations with Japan.

“Ultimately, this agreement risks weakening the EU’s economic growth and negatively impacting its GDP,” he warned.

With inputs from IANS