logo
AfD Sues German Spy Agency After Being Labeled an Extremist Party

AfD Sues German Spy Agency After Being Labeled an Extremist Party

Epoch Times05-05-2025
The Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) political party in Germany sued the country's domestic intelligence service on Monday for classifying it as a 'right-wing extremist organization.'
The designation subjects the party, which came second in the national elections in February, to greater surveillance from state authorities.
The AfD instigated legal proceedings at an administrative court in the city of Cologne, where the domestic intelligence service has its headquarters.
A
'We will not allow a politically instrumentalized authority to attempt to distort democratic competition and delegitimize millions of votes,' they said.
'This shameful action undermines the fundamental values ​​of our democracy—and has no place in a constitutional state.'
Related Stories
5/2/2025
1/22/2025
A court spokesperson confirmed that the party had filed a suit and an urgent motion, the
The move by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution—the formal name of the domestic intelligence service—means its officials can now use informants and other tools such as audio and video recordings to monitor the party's activities across Germany.
The office, known as the BfV, warned that the party posed a threat to the country's democratic order, saying the AfD 'disregards human dignity,' in particular by what it called 'ongoing agitation' against refugees and migrants.
After having regarded the AfD as a suspected extremist movement since 2021, the BfV designated the populist party as 'right-wing extremist' on May 2.
BfV said in a statement that AfD's approach to ethnicity is 'not compatible with the free democratic basic order.'
According to BfV's statement, AfD does not consider German nationals with a migration background from Muslim-origin countries as equal members of the German people.
BfV Vice President Sinan Selen and Vice President Dr. Silke Willems said in a joint statement, 'We have come to the conviction that the Alternative for Germany is a definitively right-wing extremist movement.'
The
BfV
has compiled a 1,100-page experts' report that it says will not be released to the public.
As anti-illegal immigration parties have been gaining support across Europe, the AfD has attracted international attention, including support from tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Some top Trump administration officials have criticized the decision.
In an
In its own social media post responding directly to Rubio, the German Foreign Ministry wrote, 'This is democracy,' and called the decision 'the result of a thorough & independent investigation to protect our Constitution & the rule of law.'
The ministry said it is 'independent courts that will have the final say.'
'We have learnt from our history that right-wing extremism needs to be stopped,' it said.
Certain
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who met with Weidel after the elections in February, wrote on
'Now the bureaucrats try to destroy it,' Vance said.
The AfD has often faced criticism for its allegedly Russia-friendly positions and opposes Germany's stance toward the war in Ukraine. Berlin is Ukraine's second-biggest weapons supplier after the United States.
Moscow also criticized the extremist classification of the party on Monday.
'The European political landscape itself is now full of various restrictive measures against those political forces and individuals whose world view does not fit into the dominant mainstream,' Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
He said the classification of the AfD as extremist was a domestic affair and that Russia had no intention of interfering, Russian state news agency
Owen Evans contributed to this report.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump tariffs live updates: US, EU rush to finalize deal as 90-day extension of China trade truce likely
Trump tariffs live updates: US, EU rush to finalize deal as 90-day extension of China trade truce likely

Yahoo

time8 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Trump tariffs live updates: US, EU rush to finalize deal as 90-day extension of China trade truce likely

The US and EU are racing to lock in the final details of their major new trade deal before Friday's deadline. But critics say its a rushed fix, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz calling the outcome unsatisfying, while France's Bayrou dubbed the EU's 'submission' a 'dark day'. President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Sunday that the US and EU had agreed to the framework of a trade deal that included a baseline tariff rate of 15% on EU goods imported into the US. Trump, called the deal 'the biggest of them all,' while von der Leyen said that "15% is not to be underestimated, but it is the best we could get." EU reaction to the agreement was decidedly mixed, with Germany and France offering perhaps the strongest criticism. Trump also confirmed on Monday that 15% represents the new standard for tariff negotiations. 'For the world, I would say it'll be somewhere in the 15% to 20% range,' Trump said in Scotland as he met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Meanwhile, another round of US-China talks kicked off this week, with markets hoping for another extension of the countries' trade truce. The South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper, reported that is seen as the likely outcome. This was confirmed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick who said a 90-day China trade truce extension is likely. Last week, Trump said that letters dictating tariff rates for over 200 countries would go out soon while his administration works to clinch deals with larger trade partners. Trump said the US hasn't had a "lot of luck" with Canada and suggested he may impose threatened 35% levies on goods not covered by the US-Canada-Mexico trade agreement. Trump also touted a deal with Japan that included a $550 billion investment in the US and a 15% tariff on goods imported into the US from Japan. Japan said Tuesday its trade deal with the US eased policy uncertainty but warned US trade actions could still weigh on its economy. Meanwhile, US Trade Representative Jamison Greer said "more negotiations" would be needed with India, just days before the Aug. 1 deadline. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Here are the latest updates as the policy reverberates around the world. Germany's Merz says he did not expect better EU-US trade deal, German economy will suffer Germany's Chancellor released a statement saying he's not "satisfied" with the new EU-US trade deal and expressed concerns about how it'll affect his country's economy. Reuters reports: Read more here. What's in the US-EU preliminary trade agreement? On Sunday, President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a preliminary trade agreement, avoiding an all-out trade war. Here's what we know about the terms the two sides agreed to, per Reuters: Several questions still remain unresolved, however. Here's what remains to be seen when the US and EU reveal a joint statement on Aug. 1: Read more here. Trump official: More talks needed to clinch India deal The US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said "more negotiations" are needed between the US and India in order to secure a trade deal, Greer's statement was made just days before the Aug. 1 deadline for higher tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Rating firms say US tariffs alone will not trigger EU sovereign downgrades Reuters reports: Read more here. US trade deal eases tariff uncertainties, but risks remain: Japan Japan said on Tuesday that its trade deal with the US has removed uncertainties on but attention must be given to the risks these policies are putting on the Japanese economy. Reuters reports: Read more here. Philips soars after lifting margin outlook on softer tariff hit Royal Philips NV (PHG) stock rose 9% before the bell on Tuesday after it increased its profitability outlook as the impact of the trade war was not as severe as it feared. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Stellantis warns of $1.7B US tariff impact in 2025 Reuters reports: Read more here. Carney says US trade talks in 'intense phase' The Canadian Press reports: Read more here. Analysts say EU-US trade deal could add up to $19 billion in pharma industry costs The recent trade deal announced between the United States and the European Union is raising concerns in different industries about potential costs. The pharmaceutical industry, specifically, is estimated to take on an extra billion dollars based on new data. Reuters reports: Read more here. Analysis: US tariffs will be test of luxury brands' pricing power Luxury goods companies have been spared the worst case scenario in Sunday's EU-US trade deal. But the worst is not over yet, they still face a balancing act as already weak consumer demand prevents them from raising prices further. Reuters reports: Read more here. Markets hope for one thing from US-China tariff talks: Another 90-day extension US and Chinese trade negotiators are meeting this week for at least two days of trade talks as markets continue to focus on relations between the two superpowers and whether stiff tariff rates will be delayed again. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports on what to expect: Read more here. Analysis: Out-gunned Europe accepts least-worst US trade deal Reuters reports: Read more here. Clock is ticking for a US-China trade deal. Negotiators are meeting to buy more time CNN reports: Read more here. 'Donald Trump ate Ursula von der Leyen for breakfast': How EU leaders are reacting to the US trade deal Europe's reaction to its trade deal with the US is decidedly mixed so far. As we detailed earlier, the deal represents the "least-worst" option for Europe, which was facing 30% duties on its imports to the US. So EU leaders have put on a brave face, saying that they hope this breakthrough is but the first step toward a more favorable, longer-term agreement. Bloomberg rounded up some initial reaction. One that stood out: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally: From the German chancellor: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the agreement "sustainable": France took a more hawkish approach: Finally, from Slovakia: Read more here. Why Big Alcohol needs US tariff relief in five charts European Union wine and spirits producers could emerge as one of the few winners in the US-EU trade deal which was agreed on Sunday. Reuters reports: Shares in Pernod, Diageo and Campari initially rose in early trade. But they stood 1.3%, 0.4% and 0.3% lower by 0707 GMT. Shares in Remy fell 2.2%. Alcohol is among the EU's top exports to the United States, worth about $10.5 billion in 2024, according to Eurostat data, with certain products like Remy Martin cognac and champagne required to be produced in specific European regions. The United States accounts for about 18% of exports for another exclusively French product, champagne. For cognac makers, the U.S. tariffs represent a fresh challenge after producers of the drink managed this month to avert the threat of duties of up to around 35% from China. For Spanish and Italian wines, around 14% and 24% of total exports, respectively, are sold in the United States. Stock in focus after US/EU trade deal: ASML Semiconductor play ASML (ASML) getting a lot of mentions on the Street this morning as a winner from the US/EU trade deal. Shares are up nearly 5% in pre-market trading. I would note ASML just a week ago issued weak guidance that hammered the stock, so be mindful of that. Here's what JP Morgan had to say this morning: "ASML had indicated in its Q2 results that it saw hesitation (and thus lack of orders) from customers to order tools for their new US fabs due to the risk of tariffs on semiconductor equipment. If this information from the US on zero tariffs on semiconductor equipment is correct then this would be very positive for ASML in particular, but also for VAT. Other semiconductor equipment companies in Europe, such as ASM International ( manufacture their tools outside the EU and thus deals with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and the US will be important for those companies." Donald Trump freezes export controls to secure trade deal with China The FT reported on Monday that President Donald Trump has frozen restrictions on technology exports to China in order to avoid hurting trade talks with Beijing and to help secure a meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, which is in charge of export controls, has been advised to avoid tough moves on China, according to eight people, including current and former US officials. The US and China are due to meet in Stockholm on Monday for a third round of trade talks following previous meetings in Geneva and London. The FT reports: Read more here (subscription required). Heineken cheers EU-US trade deal as tariff problems grow Dutch brewer Heineken (HKHHY, said on Monday that it welcomed the trade deal between the European Union and the US and that it was weighing all options to deal with growing tariff challenges in the long term, including shifting manufacturing. Reuters reports: Read more here. Japan expects 1%-2% of $550 billion US fund to be investment Japan confirmed that only a small part, just 1% to 2%, of the $550 billion deal with the US will be actual investment. Most of the money will be in the form of loans, according to Japan's trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa. Akazawa said that Tokyo will save roughly $68 billion through lower tariff rates in its deal with the US. The details revealed by Akazawa on Saturday via an interview with public broadcaster NHK, suggest the Japanese may end up giving up much less than at first glance. The $550 billion investment framework combines loans, investments and loan guarantees provided by financial institutions backed by the Japanese government. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. VW's Audi cuts full-year outlook, citing tariffs and restructuring Following Volkswagen's ( VWAGY) guidance cut last week, the German carmakers premium brand Audi has also cut its full-year guidance, citing the impact of higher US import tariffs and restructuring expenses. Reuters reports: Read more here. Germany's Chancellor released a statement saying he's not "satisfied" with the new EU-US trade deal and expressed concerns about how it'll affect his country's economy. Reuters reports: Read more here. On Sunday, President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a preliminary trade agreement, avoiding an all-out trade war. Here's what we know about the terms the two sides agreed to, per Reuters: Several questions still remain unresolved, however. Here's what remains to be seen when the US and EU reveal a joint statement on Aug. 1: Read more here. Trump official: More talks needed to clinch India deal The US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said "more negotiations" are needed between the US and India in order to secure a trade deal, Greer's statement was made just days before the Aug. 1 deadline for higher tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. The US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said "more negotiations" are needed between the US and India in order to secure a trade deal, Greer's statement was made just days before the Aug. 1 deadline for higher tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Rating firms say US tariffs alone will not trigger EU sovereign downgrades Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. US trade deal eases tariff uncertainties, but risks remain: Japan Japan said on Tuesday that its trade deal with the US has removed uncertainties on but attention must be given to the risks these policies are putting on the Japanese economy. Reuters reports: Read more here. Japan said on Tuesday that its trade deal with the US has removed uncertainties on but attention must be given to the risks these policies are putting on the Japanese economy. Reuters reports: Read more here. Philips soars after lifting margin outlook on softer tariff hit Royal Philips NV (PHG) stock rose 9% before the bell on Tuesday after it increased its profitability outlook as the impact of the trade war was not as severe as it feared. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Royal Philips NV (PHG) stock rose 9% before the bell on Tuesday after it increased its profitability outlook as the impact of the trade war was not as severe as it feared. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Stellantis warns of $1.7B US tariff impact in 2025 Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Carney says US trade talks in 'intense phase' The Canadian Press reports: Read more here. The Canadian Press reports: Read more here. Analysts say EU-US trade deal could add up to $19 billion in pharma industry costs The recent trade deal announced between the United States and the European Union is raising concerns in different industries about potential costs. The pharmaceutical industry, specifically, is estimated to take on an extra billion dollars based on new data. Reuters reports: Read more here. The recent trade deal announced between the United States and the European Union is raising concerns in different industries about potential costs. The pharmaceutical industry, specifically, is estimated to take on an extra billion dollars based on new data. Reuters reports: Read more here. Analysis: US tariffs will be test of luxury brands' pricing power Luxury goods companies have been spared the worst case scenario in Sunday's EU-US trade deal. But the worst is not over yet, they still face a balancing act as already weak consumer demand prevents them from raising prices further. Reuters reports: Read more here. Luxury goods companies have been spared the worst case scenario in Sunday's EU-US trade deal. But the worst is not over yet, they still face a balancing act as already weak consumer demand prevents them from raising prices further. Reuters reports: Read more here. Markets hope for one thing from US-China tariff talks: Another 90-day extension US and Chinese trade negotiators are meeting this week for at least two days of trade talks as markets continue to focus on relations between the two superpowers and whether stiff tariff rates will be delayed again. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports on what to expect: Read more here. US and Chinese trade negotiators are meeting this week for at least two days of trade talks as markets continue to focus on relations between the two superpowers and whether stiff tariff rates will be delayed again. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports on what to expect: Read more here. Analysis: Out-gunned Europe accepts least-worst US trade deal Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Clock is ticking for a US-China trade deal. Negotiators are meeting to buy more time CNN reports: Read more here. CNN reports: Read more here. 'Donald Trump ate Ursula von der Leyen for breakfast': How EU leaders are reacting to the US trade deal Europe's reaction to its trade deal with the US is decidedly mixed so far. As we detailed earlier, the deal represents the "least-worst" option for Europe, which was facing 30% duties on its imports to the US. So EU leaders have put on a brave face, saying that they hope this breakthrough is but the first step toward a more favorable, longer-term agreement. Bloomberg rounded up some initial reaction. One that stood out: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally: From the German chancellor: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the agreement "sustainable": France took a more hawkish approach: Finally, from Slovakia: Read more here. Europe's reaction to its trade deal with the US is decidedly mixed so far. As we detailed earlier, the deal represents the "least-worst" option for Europe, which was facing 30% duties on its imports to the US. So EU leaders have put on a brave face, saying that they hope this breakthrough is but the first step toward a more favorable, longer-term agreement. Bloomberg rounded up some initial reaction. One that stood out: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally: From the German chancellor: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the agreement "sustainable": France took a more hawkish approach: Finally, from Slovakia: Read more here. Why Big Alcohol needs US tariff relief in five charts European Union wine and spirits producers could emerge as one of the few winners in the US-EU trade deal which was agreed on Sunday. Reuters reports: Shares in Pernod, Diageo and Campari initially rose in early trade. But they stood 1.3%, 0.4% and 0.3% lower by 0707 GMT. Shares in Remy fell 2.2%. Alcohol is among the EU's top exports to the United States, worth about $10.5 billion in 2024, according to Eurostat data, with certain products like Remy Martin cognac and champagne required to be produced in specific European regions. The United States accounts for about 18% of exports for another exclusively French product, champagne. For cognac makers, the U.S. tariffs represent a fresh challenge after producers of the drink managed this month to avert the threat of duties of up to around 35% from China. For Spanish and Italian wines, around 14% and 24% of total exports, respectively, are sold in the United States. European Union wine and spirits producers could emerge as one of the few winners in the US-EU trade deal which was agreed on Sunday. Reuters reports: Shares in Pernod, Diageo and Campari initially rose in early trade. But they stood 1.3%, 0.4% and 0.3% lower by 0707 GMT. Shares in Remy fell 2.2%. Alcohol is among the EU's top exports to the United States, worth about $10.5 billion in 2024, according to Eurostat data, with certain products like Remy Martin cognac and champagne required to be produced in specific European regions. The United States accounts for about 18% of exports for another exclusively French product, champagne. For cognac makers, the U.S. tariffs represent a fresh challenge after producers of the drink managed this month to avert the threat of duties of up to around 35% from China. For Spanish and Italian wines, around 14% and 24% of total exports, respectively, are sold in the United States. Stock in focus after US/EU trade deal: ASML Semiconductor play ASML (ASML) getting a lot of mentions on the Street this morning as a winner from the US/EU trade deal. Shares are up nearly 5% in pre-market trading. I would note ASML just a week ago issued weak guidance that hammered the stock, so be mindful of that. Here's what JP Morgan had to say this morning: "ASML had indicated in its Q2 results that it saw hesitation (and thus lack of orders) from customers to order tools for their new US fabs due to the risk of tariffs on semiconductor equipment. If this information from the US on zero tariffs on semiconductor equipment is correct then this would be very positive for ASML in particular, but also for VAT. Other semiconductor equipment companies in Europe, such as ASM International ( manufacture their tools outside the EU and thus deals with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and the US will be important for those companies." Semiconductor play ASML (ASML) getting a lot of mentions on the Street this morning as a winner from the US/EU trade deal. Shares are up nearly 5% in pre-market trading. I would note ASML just a week ago issued weak guidance that hammered the stock, so be mindful of that. Here's what JP Morgan had to say this morning: "ASML had indicated in its Q2 results that it saw hesitation (and thus lack of orders) from customers to order tools for their new US fabs due to the risk of tariffs on semiconductor equipment. If this information from the US on zero tariffs on semiconductor equipment is correct then this would be very positive for ASML in particular, but also for VAT. Other semiconductor equipment companies in Europe, such as ASM International ( manufacture their tools outside the EU and thus deals with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and the US will be important for those companies." Donald Trump freezes export controls to secure trade deal with China The FT reported on Monday that President Donald Trump has frozen restrictions on technology exports to China in order to avoid hurting trade talks with Beijing and to help secure a meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, which is in charge of export controls, has been advised to avoid tough moves on China, according to eight people, including current and former US officials. The US and China are due to meet in Stockholm on Monday for a third round of trade talks following previous meetings in Geneva and London. The FT reports: Read more here (subscription required). The FT reported on Monday that President Donald Trump has frozen restrictions on technology exports to China in order to avoid hurting trade talks with Beijing and to help secure a meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, which is in charge of export controls, has been advised to avoid tough moves on China, according to eight people, including current and former US officials. The US and China are due to meet in Stockholm on Monday for a third round of trade talks following previous meetings in Geneva and London. The FT reports: Read more here (subscription required). Heineken cheers EU-US trade deal as tariff problems grow Dutch brewer Heineken (HKHHY, said on Monday that it welcomed the trade deal between the European Union and the US and that it was weighing all options to deal with growing tariff challenges in the long term, including shifting manufacturing. Reuters reports: Read more here. Dutch brewer Heineken (HKHHY, said on Monday that it welcomed the trade deal between the European Union and the US and that it was weighing all options to deal with growing tariff challenges in the long term, including shifting manufacturing. Reuters reports: Read more here. Japan expects 1%-2% of $550 billion US fund to be investment Japan confirmed that only a small part, just 1% to 2%, of the $550 billion deal with the US will be actual investment. Most of the money will be in the form of loans, according to Japan's trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa. Akazawa said that Tokyo will save roughly $68 billion through lower tariff rates in its deal with the US. The details revealed by Akazawa on Saturday via an interview with public broadcaster NHK, suggest the Japanese may end up giving up much less than at first glance. The $550 billion investment framework combines loans, investments and loan guarantees provided by financial institutions backed by the Japanese government. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Japan confirmed that only a small part, just 1% to 2%, of the $550 billion deal with the US will be actual investment. Most of the money will be in the form of loans, according to Japan's trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa. Akazawa said that Tokyo will save roughly $68 billion through lower tariff rates in its deal with the US. The details revealed by Akazawa on Saturday via an interview with public broadcaster NHK, suggest the Japanese may end up giving up much less than at first glance. The $550 billion investment framework combines loans, investments and loan guarantees provided by financial institutions backed by the Japanese government. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. VW's Audi cuts full-year outlook, citing tariffs and restructuring Following Volkswagen's ( VWAGY) guidance cut last week, the German carmakers premium brand Audi has also cut its full-year guidance, citing the impact of higher US import tariffs and restructuring expenses. Reuters reports: Read more here. Following Volkswagen's ( VWAGY) guidance cut last week, the German carmakers premium brand Audi has also cut its full-year guidance, citing the impact of higher US import tariffs and restructuring expenses. Reuters reports: Read more here. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data

German finance minister warns coalition of looming austerity
German finance minister warns coalition of looming austerity

Yahoo

time11 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

German finance minister warns coalition of looming austerity

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has warned the coalition government of significant austerity measures ahead, citing major fiscal challenges in the years to come. "The 2027 budget will be an enormous challenge for the government," the Social Democratic politician said during a visit to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, on Tuesday. He stressed that meeting the budget goals would require every minister to make concessions. Klingbeil urged all ministries to begin identifying potential areas for savings. There is a gap of approximately €172 billion ($200 billion) in the federal budget for the years 2027 to 2029, government sources have said. Several budgets are under consideration in Berlin. Klingbeil is set to present his draft budget for 2026 to the Cabinet on Wednesday. He said that budget has been fully financed after intensive negotiations. Meanwhile, the 2025 budget remains under review and is expected to be adopted in September. Sign in to access your portfolio

EU-US Trade Deal Draws Mixed Reviews from Bloc's Leaders
EU-US Trade Deal Draws Mixed Reviews from Bloc's Leaders

Yahoo

time35 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

EU-US Trade Deal Draws Mixed Reviews from Bloc's Leaders

Following President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's announcement Sunday that the U.S. and the European Union had negotiated a trade deal (which will see EU countries subject to 15-percent tariffs), EU leaders have started weighing in on the new way forward for the transatlantic trade agreement. While von der Leyen praised the trade agreement sitting alongside Trump in Scotland, other leaders seem to have a less rosy outlook. More from Sourcing Journal EU-Funded Project Makes Lignin Breakthrough in Biobased Research EU Regulators Accuse Temu of Allowing Sale of Illegal Products US Reaches Trade Truce With EU, May Extend China Tariff Pause François Bayrou, France's prime minister, expressed his disappointment for the trade agreement. 'It is a dark day when an alliance of free peoples, united to affirm their values and defend their interests, resolves to submission,' Bayrou wrote on his X account. Still, other major leaders said the agreement helped divert what could have been a much more serious threat to countries in the 27-member bloc and their respective businesses. Giorgia Meloni, Italy's prime minister, told reporters Sunday at a press briefing in Ethiopia that while she still needed to 'study the details' of Trump and von der Leyen's deal, it's promising that the two nations came to an agreement, noting that 'trade escalation between Europe and the United States would have had unpredictable and potentially devastating consequences.' German Chancellor Friedrich Merz shared a similar sentiment. 'This agreement has succeeded in averting a trade conflict that would have hit the export-orientated German economy hard,' he said in a statement. Trump had previously threatened a 30-percent tariff on goods inbound to the U.S. from EU countries; last week, he stated that the U.S. had 'a 50-50 chance of making a deal with the EU.' That von der Leyen—who had originally fought to see a 10-percent flat tariff rate on most EU goods—kept up negotiations with a frustrated Trump can be considered a win, some EU leaders, including Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, believe. 'The EU-U.S. trade agreement brings predictability and stability, vital for Portuguese companies and the economy. It avoids escalation but places new demands on the pursuit of more trade agreements, the reduction of barriers, and the transformative agenda of simplification and cost reduction,' Montenegro wrote in an X post. Maroš Šefčovič, EU trade commissioner, called on both parties to 'keep strengthening our transatlantic ties,' thanking U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick for their collaboration on the newfound agreement. Some leaders in the EU continue to focus their attention on a free trade environment. Bart De Wever, prime minister of Belgium, called Sunday's understanding 'a moment of relief but not of celebration.' 'I sincerely hope the United States will, in due course, turn away again from the delusion of protectionism and once again embrace the value of free trade—a cornerstone of shared prosperity,' he wrote in an X post. Petteri Orpo, prime minister of Finland, said this agreement should not mark the end of future trade discussions between the bloc and the U.S. 'Work must continue to dismantle trade barriers. Only free transatlantic trade benefits both sides the most,' Orpo wrote in a translated X post. The Trump administration doesn't appear amenable to the prospect of free trade with almost any country across the globe. Much of the president's economic strategy has been built around negotiating new trade deals that guarantee U.S. access to other markets, and bolstering American manufacturing across a variety of industries he sees as key to the country's future success. While Trump heralded last week's deal with Japan as 'the largest deal ever made,' the agreement with the EU has the propensity to impact myriad industries, including fashion and apparel. A lower-than-threatened tariff will see U.S. companies importing European goods—like luxury apparel, footwear and leather—paying less than some may have expected. Still, any increase in cost per unit could deal a blow to companies already struggling to reach price-conscious consumers. According to data from 7thonline, U.S. retailers have shown anxiety about their ability to absorb price hikes brought on by tariffs. Just over one-third of retailers said the only way they could avoid price hikes is with a 0-percent tariff increase, and a further 43 percent said the highest tariff increase they could afford to absorb was 25 percent. Sign in to access your portfolio

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store