BRUSSELS, July 28, 2025
EU Parliament Braces for Battle Over New U.S. Trade Deal
A recently agreed-upon trade deal between the United States and the European Union, imposing a 15% tariff on European exports, is facing stiff opposition within the European Parliament, potentially derailing the agreement before it takes effect.
- European Parliament member Raphaël Glucksmann announced the deal will not be ratified.
- Glucksmann cited ongoing threats from the U.S. towards Denmark and other European nations as a reason for opposition.
- He called for the use of the EU’s anti-coercion instrument to counter U.S. pressure.
- Glucksmann advocates for greater European sovereignty, particularly in defense procurement.
The agreement, reached on July 27, is already sparking controversy. Raphaël Glucksmann, a Member of the European Parliament, stated this morning on France 2 that the deal “is not going to be ratified by the European Parliament, we cannot ratify it, I have always thought it was bad. We are not going to follow through. We cannot discuss as long as Donald Trump threatens Denmark and targets European countries.” He characterized the agreement as one “reached with the liberals and conservatives of the European People’s Party.” “This is a strong gesture. This agreement will not apply as long as we do not vote on it,” Glucksmann affirmed.
Pushback Against Perceived U.S. Coercion
Glucksmann reacted strongly to the potential use of an anti-coercion instrument, which could limit imports from the U.S., restrict access to European public markets, and block certain investments. He insisted, “we must not give in to Donald Trump. We must launch the action of this instrument.” He continued, “We have levers in Europe, I can no longer stand this European feeling of fatalism and fatality, as if we were doomed to be weak.”
According to Glucksmann, “Europe is the world’s first market, the American economy depends on the European market. What we lack is not the instrument of power but the will to resist.” He believes the U.S. treats Europe with disrespect, assuming a lack of response.
What steps should Europe take to assert its independence? Glucksmann argues for building European sovereignty, starting with prioritizing European defense procurement – “we must buy European.”
“Trump treats us like rags because he is convinced that we will not react. We must show that we are independent, autonomous and capable of assuming a balance of power,” he added. The MEP stressed the need to “build the sovereignty of Europeans. For example, on defense, we must buy European. There must be a European preference.”
