Trump’s tariff war is illegal, unfair, and unacceptable. It puts European workers, companies, and entire industries at risk, while undermining international law and the rules-based trading system. Europe cannot accept this.

Ahead of today’s extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee (INTA) on EU-US trade relations, the S&Ds call for a much stronger and united response from the European Commission and the member states. Our priority must be to protect jobs and competitiveness in Europe, strengthen Europe’s autonomy, and defend the rule of law – including European legislation on climate, sustainability, social policy, and digital regulation.

We will not rubber-stamp concessions that harm our workers, businesses, or European values. We need real safeguard measures to protect our industries, a binding review clause to shield Europe from Trump’s unpredictability, and a firm commitment to secure the livelihood of European workers and to strengthen the competitiveness of European businesses. Only by standing strong and united can we ensure that trade works for people, not against them.

The alternative is the law of the jungle, where the strongest impose their will. We choose a different path: international law, solidarity, cooperation with like-minded partners, and a Europe that is ready to safeguard stability, fairness, and predictability for its citizens.

Kathleen van Brempt, S&D vice-president on international trade, said:

“From the very beginning, we have been clear: Trump’s tariff war is illegal. It violates international law, undermines the rules-based trading system, and directly threatens European companies and workers. We cannot allow American pressure politics to dictate Europe’s future.

“That is why we expect a stronger and more united response from the European Commission and the member states. Europe must use all the instruments at its disposal to defend its industries, protect jobs, and safeguard the livelihoods of our citizens.

“But this is not only about Europe. It is about defending the very principle that international relations should be based on clear rules and cooperation, not on brute power. That is why we must stand shoulder to shoulder with like-minded partners around the world. Together we can stop this trade war, protect our people from its consequences, and build a trading system that is fair, sustainable, and reliable for the future.”

Brando Benifei, S&D coordinator in the INTA committee and chair of the Parliament’s delegation to the US, added:

“The framework agreement with the United States is neither reciprocal nor fair nor balanced. It may be a deal, and we understand the EU negotiators were following the narrow mandate received by the member states to prioritise stability and diplomacy to avoid a full-blown trade war with the US, but let us be clear: the deal has nothing to do with free trade.

“It’s Parliament’s turn now and, as legislators, we are ready to turn it upside down, as needed, to ensure that European interests and values are defended. We demand clarifications from the Commission, and we are going to show the difference between the European Parliament and the European capitals in our work on the legislative proposals and their annexes.”

Note to Editors:

From a trade perspective, the EU-US deal is unbalanced. The EU will eliminate most tariffs on industrial and agricultural/seafood goods (except sensitive ones), while the US will impose a 15% tariff – higher than the US-UK deal (10%). This affects 33% of US exports, with an expected impact of €3.6 billion. The US will continue imposing 50% duties on EU steel and aluminum. Additionally, the EU has agreed to invest €600 billion, purchase €750 billion in energy, and spend €40 billion on US AI chips. There are concerns over the deal’s compatibility with WTO rules.