EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is facing backlash for allegedly agreeing to 15 per cent American tariffs on EU exports to the US during her recent meeting with Donald Trump in Scotland.
Reports have described her agreement as a surrender of the continent, which they said was done to avoid Trump revoking his security umbrella from the region amid the growing threat posed by Russia. As per to reports, officials at the commission were prepared to respond with strong countermeasures in response to Trump's proposed 20 per cent tariff announcement in April this year.
However, when Trump threatened to increase it to 30 per cent, the commission stepped back. The reports indicate that her pullback was mainly due to two reasons: a fear that the US might pull back all of its troops, including the security apparatus extended over the continent.
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There are currently some 80,000 US troops stationed across Europe, which are key in providing net security to the region. The EU is particularly concerned that the US might pull back its military aid from Ukraine, doubling the pressure on Brussels. The deal has become a point of contention among many of the bloc’s nations, not only because the EU Commissioner agreed to a 15 per cent tariff on EU goods but also because she promised to invest $600 billion in the US economy and purchase $750 billion worth of American energy over the next three years.
In contrast, London, which negotiated independently, managed to secure a relatively favourable deal with 10 per cent on its exports. Amid intensified pressure back home, French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly criticised the outcome, saying the EU is 'not feared enough.' Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in a direct jibe, said, “Trump ate her for breakfast, while accusing von der Leyen of exceeding her authority.”
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