Trade deal between EU, Trump draws sharp criticism, mockery

(MENAFN) A recent trade deal between the EU and US President Donald Trump has drawn sharp criticism and mockery, with one White House official describing Brussels as having “bent the knee” to Washington. The agreement included massive promised investments into the U.S. economy, increased purchases of American energy, and a pledge to buy U.S. weapons — all seemingly favoring American interests.

Critics argue that the spectacle resembled a power play where Trump appeared to extract billions from the EU, likened to a transactional performance with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen playing a submissive role. Trump, touting $600 billion in EU investments, claimed it was a major win — but skepticism is mounting on both sides of the Atlantic.

The first red flag, according to some observers, was that Trump conducted the deal with von der Leyen, an unelected official representing the European Commission, rather than a consensus of EU member states. With much of Europe on vacation, the legitimacy and enforceability of such a large-scale agreement were called into question.

Though Trump believed he had secured billions for America, EU officials later clarified that the investments would come from private companies, not from the EU itself. As reported by Euronews, one senior official admitted the EU couldn’t guarantee the investments — they were merely intentions from private enterprises. Trump responded with a threat to impose a 35% tariff on European imports if the investments didn’t materialize.

This has led many to question whether Trump was misled, or if the EU’s promises were simply diplomatic posturing. The entire deal risks being more symbolic than substantial, with no clear commitment on where the money would come from or who would oversee it. Critics argue the EU is playing diplomatic theater, offering vague pledges without actual follow-through.

Von der Leyen’s leadership style — often criticized as autocratic and top-down — is once again under scrutiny. Her ability to make sweeping statements on behalf of 27 EU countries without clear backing continues to raise concerns about democratic legitimacy and accountability in Brussels.

Ultimately, what was framed as a major win for Trump may turn out to be an empty promise, with little concrete investment and a risk of future trade tensions.

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