The deal was sealed during crucial talks between US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland
By Opeyemi Ojo
The United States and the European Union have reached a major trade agreement, ending months of tense negotiations with a new tariff arrangement that will see a 15% levy on all EU goods entering the US.
The deal was sealed during crucial talks between US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland.
It halves the 30% tariff Trump had threatened to impose from Friday, while the EU agreed to open its markets to US exporters with zero tariffs on selected products.
Von der Leyen hailed the agreement as a “huge deal” that would provide stability for both sides, which collectively account for nearly a third of global trade. Trump called it “the biggest deal ever made”, adding, “It’s going to bring us closer together.”
The agreement, described as a “framework” deal, will undergo further technical negotiations and still requires approval from EU member states.
Trump also announced that the EU would boost US investments by $600bn, including purchases of American military equipment, and spend $750bn on US energy over the next three years – moves aimed at reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian power sources.
Some goods, including aircraft, plane parts, certain chemicals, and selected agricultural products, will be exempt from tariffs.
However, Trump confirmed that a 50% tariff on global steel and aluminium imports will remain in place.
Reactions across Europe were mixed. France’s European Affairs Minister, Benjamin Haddad, said the deal brought “temporary stability” but was “unbalanced.”
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin noted that while the agreement prevented a trade war, higher tariffs would make trade “more expensive and more challenging.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasised the importance of stable trade relations for businesses and consumers, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she awaited full details.
Trade between the US and EU totalled about $976bn last year, with the US importing $606bn worth of goods from the EU and exporting $370bn. Trump has long criticised this imbalance, saying it leaves the US at a disadvantage.
The breakthrough came as Trump continued his five-day visit to Scotland, where he also met with guests and family at his golf course.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet Trump at Turnberry on Monday, with talks expected to include trade and the Gaza conflict.
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