Summary
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered a “zero-for-zero” deal to eliminate all industrial tariffs with the U.S., following Trump’s 20% tariff hike on EU goods.
The offer revives a proposal from a decade ago that was nearly finalized under the TTIP — the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership — that was ultimately scuppered by Trump in his first term.
The deal would cover cars, chemicals, and other industrial goods. Trump’s tariffs have rattled global markets, with EU stocks seeing their steepest drop since COVID-19.
The EU warned it is also ready with countermeasures if negotiations fail.
Why is that embarrassing? Trump offers trade war, EUs counterproposal is tread deal. Much better to all involved… and also Trump most likely won’t agree.
This isn’t caving. This is the deal they originally wanted, before Trump intervened in his first term. Trump will refuse, and then the EU can say “I thought you wanted fair trade” before retaliating. Maybe it’s embarrassing for the US.
I’d offer war, basically. But I understand your point of view and I hope it is the better course of action.
