EU-US trade dispute: 'The US government is clinging to a straw'

European Parliament Trade Committee Chair Bernd Lange stated that tensions with the U.S. administration over trade policy have eased at the administrative level, despite new tariffs being issued by President Donald Trump. Lange, speaking after returning from negotiations in Washington, indicated that ongoing discussions have led to a less hardened stance compared to a year ago.

Lange explained that the EU has consistently upheld its commitment to the existing trade deal, urging the U.S. to do the same. This consistent approach appears to have fostered some common ground. The new tariffs come as the legal basis for the previous trade regulations expired. The specific details of how these new tariffs will affect the EU remain a point of concern, though Lange suggests the situation is not as severe as it could have been.

He noted that the EU has been actively engaged in discussions with the American side over recent months. This dialogue has been crucial in navigating the complexities of U.S. trade policy under the Trump administration. While the tariffs themselves represent a challenge, the EU's persistent adherence to the established trade agreement and the apparent de-escalation at the administrative level offer a degree of managed expectation for future trade relations.