President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a sweeping trade agreement between the United States and the European Union on Sunday, only moments after admitting that the chances of success had been uncertain. Both leaders described the negotiations as challenging but ultimately productive. The deal includes a uniform 15% tariff on automobiles and other goods, along with major commitments to open European markets that Trump said had previously been closed to American agriculture and industry.
Von der Leyen confirmed that Europe will purchase $150 billion in U.S. energy and make an additional $600 billion in investments in the American economy. Supporters of the agreement, including former U.S. Ambassador to the E.U. Gordon Sondland, praised it as strategically significant and potentially damaging to Russia’s influence, noting that Europe is shifting away from reliance on Russian gas. Sondland argued that Trump, now operating with a stronger political mandate, secured concessions that were impossible during his first term.
The deal also drew commentary from major U.S. networks. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny said the agreement signals to other nations—particularly China—that striking deals may be preferable to risking a trade war. MSNBC’s Elise Jordan, however, criticized the E.U. for conceding too quickly, suggesting it could have pressed for more leverage during negotiations.