Arabictrader.com - An EU official warned that the bloc expects some "disruptions" in trade relations with the United States to continue, even after reaching a temporary trade agreement aimed at avoiding a comprehensive tariff war.
According to an EU official speaking to Reuters, the Union believes it has a "good security policy" in the agreement reached on July 27, which covers most European goods exported to the United States with a maximum tariff of 15%.
The official, who requested anonymity, stated: "We expect more disruptions, but we have a clear security policy - a comprehensive 15% tariff." He added that the European Union has "the means to respond" if the new U.S. administration does not adhere to the agreement, which previously reduced the threatened tariff by 30%.
These developments come after intensive negotiations between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump, which resulted in an agreement to impose a 15% tariff on most European exports, including cars and pharmaceutical products, compared to the much lower tariff that was in effect before Trump's first term.
The agreement faces internal criticism in Europe, where some see it as a significant concession by Brussels. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic stated that the agreement is "better than a full-blown trade war," while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concern about the impact of the agreement on the export-driven German economy.
It is noted that the new agreement comes after months of tensions and threats of tariffs, and is seen as a temporary solution aimed at stabilizing trade relations between the world's two largest economies, but it does not completely resolve existing points of contention, especially regarding certain industries such as steel and aluminum, which still face higher tariffs.