EU trade chief Bernd Lange said the European Union has additional countermeasures ready if the United States disregards the EU-US trade deal [1].
The warning follows the approval of the Turnberry Agreement by EU lawmakers, a move intended to stave off steep tariffs on European cars threatened by US President Donald Trump [1, 2]. Because the automotive industry is a cornerstone of the European economy, any failure to adhere to the agreement could trigger a significant trade conflict.
Lange, a German MEP and member of the S&D group, said Wednesday regarding the stability of the new arrangement [1]. He said that the EU would not be intimidated into submission during the implementation of the trade terms.
"We have other countermeasures ready if the US disrespects the EU trade deal," Lange said [1].
The Turnberry Agreement was signed in Turnberry, Scotland, as a mechanism to resolve disputes and prevent the escalation of protectionist policies [2]. However, the EU's willingness to deploy further retaliatory measures suggests a lack of full confidence in the U.S. commitment to the deal's terms.
Lange said that the EU's position remains firm despite external pressures. "Nobody can pressure me," Lange said [2].
The European Parliament in Brussels remains on alert as the two powers navigate the transition from the threat of tariffs to the actual application of the Turnberry Agreement. The EU's strategy involves a balance of diplomatic cooperation, and the readiness to protect its industries through targeted economic responses if the U.S. fails to honor its obligations [1, 2].
“"We have other countermeasures ready if the US disrespects the EU trade deal."”
The tension between the EU and the US underscores a shift toward 'defensive trade,' where agreements like the Turnberry Agreement serve as temporary truces rather than permanent settlements. By publicly signaling the existence of secondary countermeasures, the EU is attempting to create a credible deterrent against the unpredictable nature of US tariff threats, ensuring that any breach of the deal by Washington carries a guaranteed economic cost.
