It has been known for months, but in the end it was still a shock for many countries: 15% duties weigh and on some strategic sectors even more. At the announcement of the duties, the economists immediately launched the alarm for the countries of the European Union. This is because the EU is the first commercial partner of the United States and, even in the best scenario, there would have been significant impacts.
Among the European countries, some are more exposed, such as France and Italy, but also Germany and Holland. Then there are those who earn us, like Donald Trump, but it is one Pirro’s victory. When the US markets are affected agreements that now celebrate, the duties will be torn or will remain to watch over the pride of the one who, as the economist Mario Seminerio explained, is believed to be “the new emperor of the world and inventor of a new economic theory”?
There are those who win and those who lose with the duties at 15%
The agreement with the USA well shouts some, while others begin to calculate how much the direct and indirect damage of the attese will amount: a victory of Pyrrhus. Thus appears to be the handshake between Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen, who defined the agreement “a certainty in uncertain times”. Not the enthusiastic tones that would be expected, while Trump returns home with a full bucket and swollen chest.
In the early hours after the agreement they begin to arrive support and dissatisfaction from the 27 European countries. Those who win (or lose less) welcome duties for what they are: the stabilization of an uncertain period. Better than nothing. Those who lose us more, however, seek cover, request the activation of support mechanisms for the strategic sectors at risk and start difficult interviews.
The positive countries on the agreement: from Ireland to Poland
Ireland, one of the countries most exposed to the duties, is satisfied with the cessation. The reason is the stabilization of the relationship with the United States, on which it depends for the link with the technological and pharmaceutical companies established in the country and which access tax incentives. Some of these are:
- Apple;
- Google;
- Half;
- Pfizer;
- Johnson & Johnson.
Sweden, on the other hand, boasts a niche market for which the United States would still continue to pay out money with or without duties at 15%. Poland and Baltic countries, in the same way, are not disconnected from the agreement. Exports to the USA are equal to 11.6 billion euros, so the duties do not involve great damage. In Warsaw, however, it affects the issue of military security and the European commitment to buy more weapons from the United States is welcomed with satisfaction.
The deployment of the dissatisfied: who loses us
Then there is the longest list of those who lose more from the agreement. Countries such as France, Italy and Germany are among the most affected. The French do not like economic impacts, nor the additional agreements, such as those for the purchase of gas, uranium for nuclear and oil from the United States (for an amount of 250 billion euros per year).
The passage is delicate, because it asks for companies such as Totellegies to change their strategies without any reason if not to avoid the whims of the “new emperor”. Then there is the question of weapons. Trump has declared that Europe will buy a lot of war material made in the USA, but this point enters into contrast with the EU rearm plan, which instead aims to strengthen the military industry of the Union. How to make the two realities coincide?
Holland also risks a lot with 15%duties, but has decided to remain silent so as not to put the transatlantic route at risk that fruit 43.4 billion euros of exports. Germany, on the other hand, spoke and obtained a discount from 27.5% to 15% of duties on the automotive sector. A victory of Pyrrhus, in fact, especially if you look at the steel and aluminum stop at 50%.
Italy, there is no romance that holds between Meloni who is said to be satisfied and Trump, risks a lot in different sectors. Less on the car, even if in German cars there is a lot of Italian components, but both on agri -food: from wine to cured meats, passing through cereals, milk and derivatives and fruit.
An alternative way: Spain look elsewhere
Then there is Spain, who once again decided to distance himself from the United States, just like the increase in military spending at 5% of GDP. He intends to sabotage the commission’s work, Sánchez says, but he won’t give the ok enthusiastically.
Spain and France are on the same wavelength on the theme of political, economic and military emancipation from the United States. However, the problem is internal: while Sánchez seeks balance, Podemos accuses him of folding Spain to Trump’s will.
