German opposition leader Friedrich Merz said the EU is not willing to accept any deterioration of the EU–US tariff agreement, warning it would harm U.S. investment prospects. While foundations for ratification exist, he stressed that the United States must fully honor its commitments.
German conservative leader Friedrich Merz has underlined a cautious but firm European position on the proposed EU–US tariff agreement, emphasizing that economic credibility and investment confidence are at stake. Speaking on the sidelines of ongoing transatlantic trade discussions, Merz made clear that Europe’s acceptance of the deal depends on strict adherence to agreed terms.
He stated that the core foundations required for ratifying the agreement are already in place. However, any attempt by the United States to dilute or reinterpret its commitments would be unacceptable to Europe. According to Merz, weakening the agreement would not only undermine trust but also negatively affect investment flows into the United States.
The remarks come at a sensitive phase of negotiations, as policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic seek to stabilize trade relations amid broader geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Merz’s comments reflect wider European concerns that predictable and rules-based trade is essential for long-term growth and cross-border investment.
Key Highlights
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Europe is not prepared to accept a deterioration of the EU–US tariff agreement
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Any weakening of the deal could also burden investments in the United States
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The basic conditions for ratifying the agreement are already in place
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The United States must stand by its commitments for the deal to move forward
Sources: Reuters, Yahoo Finance