US-EU trade tensions: Trump demands rebalance
US President Donald Trump, who was in Scotland, met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, July 27, to discuss customs duties.
Donald Trump stated that the tariff on imports into the United States from European Union countries would be at least 15%. He also mentioned that EU countries would purchase $150 billion worth of military equipment and energy resources from the US and invest $600 billion in the American economy, according to BBC.
"We've had a very good relationship over the years, but it's been a practically unilateral transaction and unfair to the United States. I think both sides want to see fairness, but it's been a one-sided deal, and it shouldn't be that way. So we're here and we hope to solve a few problems," Donald Trump said at the start of the meeting.
The US President expressed his desire to see the European market more open to American goods, particularly in the agricultural and automotive industries. Von der Leyen also echoed the White House leader's comments, stating that Europe feels the need to rebalance the trade relationship.
"I believe the President is right. We have a 50/50 chance of reaching an agreement. And indeed, it's about rebalancing. So you can call it fairness. You can call it rebalancing. We have a surplus; the United States has a deficit. And we need to rebalance it. We have an excellent trade relationship. The volume of trade we have together is immense, so we will make it more sustainable," said the European Commission President.
Good to be in Scotland to meet @POTUS for discussions on transatlantic trade today.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 27, 2025
The EU-US trade relationship is the world’s biggest.
I look forward to our talks ↓ https://t.co/pMWoCCwycn
"It's good to be in Scotland to meet for transatlantic trade discussions today. The EU-US trade relationship is the largest in the world. I look forward to our discussions," the European Commission President also wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
On Monday, Donald Trump will meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, after which he will depart for his golf complex in Aberdeen, northeastern Scotland. On Tuesday, he will inaugurate a new golf course and meet with Scottish First Minister John Swinney.
In 2024, the EU exported $606 billion worth of goods to the US, while US exports to EU countries totaled $370 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $236 billion for the U.S., according to official data, which does not include services.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
