EU trade chief Bernd Lange said Wednesday that Europe has countermeasures ready if the U.S. disrespects the EU-US trade deal [1].
The warning comes as the European Union seeks to protect its automotive industry from steep tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. Because the U.S. remains a primary trading partner, any breakdown in these agreements could trigger a wide-scale trade war affecting global supply chains.
Lange said the Turnberry Agreement is Europe’s best shield against trade shocks from the Trump era [1]. EU lawmakers have approved the controversial agreement to position the bloc against potential American economic volatility [1].
However, the path to a finalized agreement has not been seamless. A Reuters report from May 7 [2] cited an unnamed EU negotiator who said the parties are still some way from a final deal, specifically due to the threat of higher auto tariffs [2].
“We have other countermeasures ready if the US disrespects the EU trade deal,” Lange said [1].
The tension centers on the automotive sector, where the U.S. has threatened to impose tariffs on European vehicles. This friction has led the EU to prepare a tiered response strategy to ensure economic stability if diplomatic efforts fail.
While some officials express confidence in the Turnberry Agreement, others remain cautious about the gap between current negotiations and a signed treaty. The EU continues to balance the need for a stable trade relationship, and the necessity of protecting domestic manufacturers from unilateral U.S. tariff hikes [1], [2].
“We have other countermeasures ready if the US disrespects the EU trade deal.”
The discrepancy between the EU's public confidence in the Turnberry Agreement and the internal reports of stalled negotiations suggests a strategic hedging effort. By publicly signaling readiness for countermeasures while privately struggling to finalize terms, the EU is attempting to maintain leverage against U.S. tariff threats without fully committing to a trade war.
