Trump impose des droits de douane de 15 % sur la plupart des marchandises de l’UE, y compris les voitures, évitant une hausse de 30 %

Le coup de semonce économique de Trump frappe l'Europe.

Les constructeurs automobiles et autres exportateurs de l'UE doivent désormais composer avec une taxe douanière de 15% - une victoire relative, comparée à la menace initiale de 30%. Les marchés respirent (un peu), mais les lobbyistes préparent déjà leurs factures.

Le jeu des tarifs douaniers : protectionnisme ou poker menteur ?

Washington joue son va-tout commercial, tandis que Bruxelles étudie ses options de rétorsion. Les traders, eux, s'amusent à deviner quel secteur sera le prochain sur la liste - parce qu'en finance, on parie toujours sur la prochaine crise.

EU agrees to spend big in exchange for tariff cap

In return for the U.S. capping the tariff at 15% instead of the threatened 30%, the EU agreed to buy $750 billion worth of U.S. energy and also invest an additional $600 billion in the American economy. These commitments, trump said, go beyond previous levels and will be directed at a range of sectors. He did not share any specific breakdowns or timelines.

The president also claimed that the EU will be “purchasing hundreds of billions of dollars worth of military equipment,” though no specific figures were disclosed. The defense side of the agreement raised eyebrows, with some officials noting that past military spending pledges from U.S. allies have often moved slowly, if at all.

Before the deal was finalized, Trump said there was only a “50-50 chance” that he and von der Leyen would strike any kind of framework. On the EU’s side, Brussels had already started preparing for a collapse.

Lawmakers had approved a counter-tariff package aimed at targeting U.S. goods and were reportedly getting ready to trigger the Anti-Coercion Instrument, known as the “trade bazooka” inside EU circles. That tool is considered a last-resort mechanism for hitting back against economic pressure from major global players.

Ireland and Germany respond, numbers reveal scale

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin welcomed the agreement, saying it “brings clarity and predictability” to the U.S.-EU trade relationship. His office, however, warned that the higher tariffs would “make trade more expensive and more challenging.” The Department of the Taoiseach said the agreement still represented a step toward “a new era of stability,” but one that comes with clear trade-offs.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded with cautious support, focusing on what the deal means for the auto industry. He pointed out that the previous 27.5% tariff rate on cars had now been “almost halved,” and called the quick adjustment “of great significance” to Germany’s export-focused economy. Germany had been pushing hard for car tariff relief throughout the talks.

The broader U.S.-EU trade relationship is massive. In 2024, total trade in both goods and services between the two hit 1.68 trillion euros, which is around $1.97 trillion. While the EU ran a surplus in goods trading, it recorded a deficit in services, leading to an overall surplus of 50 billion euros with the U.S. last year. The shift to a 15% tariff structure is expected to have a major effect on that balance, especially for sectors that rely on consistent cross-border flows like machinery, autos, and pharmaceuticals.

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