The EU has capitulated to Trump. But even this doesn’t buy an end to the transatlantic trade war | Paul Taylor
Guardian3 days
Eurozone Growth Slows to 0.1% as Trade Tensions Ease
Above: Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, speaks at the ECB headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, on July 24, 2025. Image copyright: Arne Dedert/Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
As Trump's bully tactics grow more severe, there's no reason for the EU to cower. With a 17-trillion-euro GDP and 450 million consumers, the bloc wields immense economic power. To stay strong and sovereign, it must unify its fragmented markets, harmonize industrial policies, and invest in innovation. Capitulating to lopsided deals weakens Europe's global standing. Bold reforms and democratic legitimacy can ensure the EU thrives against U.S. protectionism.
Right narrative
EU elites, led by von der Leyen, betray their nations with lopsided deals like the one with Trump, prioritizing Brussels' power over citizens' welfare. While Trump defends American interests with bold tariffs, the EU imposes mass migration and Net Zero policies to erode sovereignty, fueling populist revolts. Europe's unelected leaders are ignoring reality, risking a century of social and economic humiliation.