** “You weren’t in that room yesterday, it was the best possible agreement.” At a key moment during his press conference, Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s chief negotiator, sought to frame the Turnberry pact in his own terms. While addressing European journalists, his remarks implicitly targeted the many critics who see the tariff agreement as Europe’s capitulation to Donald Trump.
The deal sealed by Ursula von der Leyen finds few supporters. Most have adopted a cautious line, but those who haven’t, like France, labelled it a “darkest day” and “submission” to the US. Even Berlin, upon closer scrutiny of the terms, raised alarms. Questions like “Could more have been done?” and “Did we act correctly by avoiding a single retaliatory response against the US starting April 2nd?” are surfacing in European chancelleries, party headquarters, among major corporate CEOs, and possibly even among some EU commissioners.
Current data points to a starkly asymmetric pact. While it averted the 30% tariffs threatened by Trump, it also included several concessions previously kept in the drawers of the Berlaymont (EU Commission HQ). On key sectors like wine and pharmaceuticals, the glass appears half empty to most observers.
For more:* [ANSA: Tariffs sink euro, markets anxious – Single currency below 1.16, economic fears](https://www.ansa.it)
Emmanuel Macron, a leading proponent of a tough stance with Washington, has so far remained silent. His Prime Minister, however, spoke clearly. “It is a dark day when an alliance of free peoples, united to affirm their values and defend their interests, decides to submit,” tweeted François Bayrou. Viktor Orban’s position, predictably anti-EU even when Brussels pleases his key ally Trump, caused no surprise. “The agreement is worse than the one signed between the US and the UK. Trump ate Ursula for breakfast,” attacked the Hungarian Prime Minister.
For more:* [ANSA: Deal exposes EU political short-circuit – Von der Leyen targeted by pro-Europeans, sovereigntists distance themselves](https://www.ansa.it)
The partial U-turn by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was less expected. Minutes after the deal, he celebrated his compatriot’s Scottish blitz. Less than 24 hours later, he admitted to being “not satisfied,” predicting “considerable damage” to the German economy. Donald Tusk, a Ppe pillar like von der Leyen, chose silence. Many followed suit. Pedro Sanchez, hardly Trump’s best friend, stated he “supports the agreement, but without enthusiasm.” Giorgia Meloni reiterated the 15% tariff was bearable for Italian firms but postponed her final judgment. This is partly because the Turnberry handshake still needs translation into a written text, negotiated point-by-point across the Atlantic.
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The final text is expected by August 1st. Until then, maneuvering continues. The White House, calling the deal “colossal,” is unlikely to make concessions. The EU27 Permanent Representatives will reconvene on the dossier shortly. The most critical moment will be greenlighting the suspension – potentially indefinite – of the extensive list of EU countermeasures slated for August 7th. Denial of approval is virtually impossible. However, all grievances will surface clearly at that table. “We suspend counter-tariffs from August 4th, but the measures remain ready and reactivatable,” EU executive officials clarified. Even at the Berlaymont, during the College of Commissioners, the agreement was discussed, with von der Leyen arguing it averted an abyss and the collapse of the European market. For now, commissioners’ unity around their president seems to hold. Yet, in recent weeks, even EU officials had hoped for more toughness in the negotiation. Furthermore, the pact’s asymmetry appears to violate WTO parameters. In this aspect too, it appeases those like Trump who seek to discard multilateral rules.
For more:* [ANSA: Digital tax puzzle. Pharma and chips still in balance – ‘Stop to squeeze promised’, but EU brakes. Knots to untie](https://www.ansa.it)