Customs war between the EU and the USA: Services in sight!

Customs war between the EU and the USA: Services in sight!

The escalating tensions in the trade relationship between the European Union and the USA are still the focus of the political agenda. Federal Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul (CDU) announced that the EU is planning to take into account services in the upcoming customs dispute with the USA. In the ZDF program "Berlin Directors", WadePhul explained that the exchange between the two economic regions in the entire spectrum was compensated for. It is particularly striking that the EU has a trade deficit for services with the USA, as Bernd Lange (SPD), chairman of the trade committee in the European Parliament, confirmed. This deficit results primarily from the high demand from European consumers based on offers from US digital groups such as Google and Meta.

In the context of the customs debate, President Trump justifies his trading policy with the US trade deficit in goods traffic to the EU. Against the background of this argument, Trump announced a doubling of the tariffs to aluminum and steel to 50 percent, which could lead to a significant tightening of trade relationships. A spokesman for the EU Commission reacted immediately and threatened countermeasures. According to experts, the introduction of new tariffs could have a significant impact on the European economy, since the EU and the United States have the most integrated bilateral trade and investment relationships in the world.

The reactions in the EU

In the past few months, the European Parliament has debated the effects of Trump's customs threats. After his re-election in November 2024, leading EU MPs called for a continuation of transatlantic cooperation. On February 12, 2025, there was an important debate between MEPs, representatives of the Council and the European Commission. Maroš Šefčovič, a member of the European Commission, critically commented on the US tariffs and called them harmful to companies and consumers. Bernd Lange also pointed out the possibility of counter -tariffs, while Sophie Wilmès, deputy chair of the parliamentary delegation for relationships with the USA, emphasized the importance of deterrent measures.

Another point that came up with the talks, the strategy of the EU is to reduce its car and industrial tariffs to avoid trade conflicts. Plans for strengthening transatlantic relationships are of central importance in the current political landscape. Adam Szłapka, Polish Minister for European Affairs, emphasized the advantages of an open, regular -based and fair international trade.

The long -term effects of trade policy

Donald Trump's trade policy, which is strongly shaped by his “America First Trade Policy”, is seen as a threat to the economic post -war order and existing alliances. Trump threatens not only with tariffs against the EU, but also against other countries such as Canada, Mexico and China to achieve economic and security -political goals. This policy is increasingly being considered critically because it could destabilize global trade relationships.

The EU has already taken measures to respond to tariffs and is prepared for pointed against tariffs. The balance between cooperation and confrontation in trade relationships will be crucial to shape the future economic dynamics on both sides of the Atlantic. In order to secure a regular trading system, the EU also focuses on possible free trade agreements with like -minded partners.

Developments in the coming months will be decisive for how transatlantic relationships will develop under the new trade conditions and whether it is possible to avoid an escalation of the customs disputes.