Latest news with #Friedrich Merz
Zawya
21 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Euro under pressure as US-EU trade deal fails to impress
SINGAPORE: The euro struggled to recoup its steep losses on Tuesday as investors sobered up to the fact that terms of the trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union favoured the former and hardly lifted the economic outlook of the bloc. France, on Monday, called the framework trade agreement a "dark day" for Europe, saying the bloc had caved in to U.S. President Donald Trump with an unbalanced deal that slapped a headline 15% tariff on EU goods. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his economy would suffer "significant" damage due to the agreed tariffs. The euro slid 1.3% in the previous session, its sharpest one-day percentage fall in over two months, on worries about growth and as euro-area government bond yields fell. The common currency last traded 0.07% higher at $1.1594. "It hasn't taken long for markets to conclude that this relatively good news is still, in absolute terms, bad news as far as the near term implications for euro zone growth are concerned," said Ray Attrill, head of FX research at National Australia Bank. "The deal has been roundly condemned by France while others - including German Chancellor Merz, are playing up the negative consequences for exporters, and with that, economic growth." The slide in the euro in turn boosted the dollar, which jumped 1% against a basket of currencies overnight. The dollar held on to gains on Tuesday and knocked sterling to a two-month low of $1.3349. The yen edged marginally higher to 148.49 per dollar. The dollar index steadied at 98.67. "While the U.S. dollar's strength... may reflect the perception that the new U.S.-EU deal is lopsided in favour of the U.S., the U.S. dollar's strength may also reflect a feeling that the U.S. is re-engaging with the EU and with its major allies," said Thierry Wizman, global FX and rates strategist at Macquarie Group. Still, Trump said on Monday most trading partners that do not negotiate separate trade deals would soon face tariffs of 15% to 20% on their exports to the United States, well above the broad 10% tariff he set in April. Elsewhere, the Australian dollar eased 0.05% to $0.6518, while the New Zealand dollar was little changed at $0.5972. The offshore yuan was little changed at 7.1813 per dollar. Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials met in Stockholm on Monday for more than five hours of talks aimed at resolving long-standing economic disputes at the centre of a trade war between the world's top two economies, seeking to extend a truce by three months. Apart from trade negotiations, focus this week is also on rate decisions from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan (BOJ). Both central banks are expected to stand pat on rates, but traders will watch subsequent comments to gauge the timing of their next moves. (Reporting by Rae Wee; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
Euro under pressure as US-EU trade deal fails to impress
SINGAPORE, July 29 (Reuters) - The euro struggled to recoup its steep losses on Tuesday as investors sobered up to the fact that terms of the trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union favoured the former and hardly lifted the economic outlook of the bloc. France, on Monday, called the framework trade agreement a "dark day" for Europe, saying the bloc had caved in to U.S. President Donald Trump with an unbalanced deal that slapped a headline 15% tariff on EU goods. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his economy would suffer "significant" damage due to the agreed tariffs. The euro slid 1.3% in the previous session, its sharpest one-day percentage fall in over two months, on worries about growth and as euro-area government bond yields fell. The common currency last traded 0.07% higher at $1.1594. "It hasn't taken long for markets to conclude that this relatively good news is still, in absolute terms, bad news as far as the near term implications for euro zone growth are concerned," said Ray Attrill, head of FX research at National Australia Bank. "The deal has been roundly condemned by France while others - including German Chancellor Merz, are playing up the negative consequences for exporters, and with that, economic growth." The slide in the euro in turn boosted the dollar, which jumped 1% against a basket of currencies overnight. The dollar held on to gains on Tuesday and knocked sterling to a two-month low of $1.3349. The yen edged marginally higher to 148.49 per dollar. The dollar index steadied at 98.67. "While the U.S. dollar's strength... may reflect the perception that the new U.S.-EU deal is lopsided in favour of the U.S., the U.S. dollar's strength may also reflect a feeling that the U.S. is re-engaging with the EU and with its major allies," said Thierry Wizman, global FX and rates strategist at Macquarie Group. Still, Trump said on Monday most trading partners that do not negotiate separate trade deals would soon face tariffs of 15% to 20% on their exports to the United States, well above the broad 10% tariff he set in April. Elsewhere, the Australian dollar eased 0.05% to $0.6518, while the New Zealand dollar was little changed at $0.5972. The offshore yuan was little changed at 7.1813 per dollar. Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials met in Stockholm on Monday for more than five hours of talks aimed at resolving long-standing economic disputes at the centre of a trade war between the world's top two economies, seeking to extend a truce by three months. Apart from trade negotiations, focus this week is also on rate decisions from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan (BOJ). Both central banks are expected to stand pat on rates, but traders will watch subsequent comments to gauge the timing of their next moves.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump tariffs live updates: US-EU deal details emerge as China talks begin, Trump seeks 15%-20% world tariff
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. "I am not satisfied with this result in the sense of: 'This is good.' But I do say that, given the starting point we had with the United States, more simply wasn't achievable," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou called the EU's "submission" a "dark day" for the bloc. 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 on Monday, 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. 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. On Saturday, Japanese trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa suggested the money could be used to help finance an unnamed Taiwanese chipmaker building plants in the US. "For example, if a Taiwanese chipmaker builds a plant in the US and uses Japanese components or tailors its products to meet Japanese needs, that's fine too," he said. In March, Taiwan's TSMC announced a $100 billion investment in the US, on top of plans to build three plants in Arizona, one of which is already operating. 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. 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. 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. 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. EU-US trade deal undermines bloc claims of negotiating power The US-EU trade deal has the potential to roll back months of EU posturing as a leading global economic force. This is based on the argument that the bloc has been pushed into accepting a "least-worst" deal after failing to bring suitable leverage to the trade table. Reuters reports: Read more here. Italy's Meloni awaiting details but says trade deal 'positive' As many of the specifics of the trade deal between the EU and US remained unclear Sunday, at least one European Union leader said she was awaiting more information before passing judgment on it. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it "positive' that he agreement had been reached, but wanted to see the details, Reuters reports: Read more here. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that there isn't yet a specific US-EU agreement on tariffs regarding wine and spirits between the two trading partners, among other unsettled details, and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is lobbying for an amicable resolution. "We are optimistic that in the days ahead this positive meeting and agreement will lead to a return to zero-for-zero tariffs for U.S. and EU spirits products, which will benefit not only our nation's distillers, but also the American workers and farmers who support them from grain to glass," the trade association's president and CEO Chris Swonger said in a statement provided to Yahoo Finance. "For more than 20 years, large and small distilleries across the U.S. have flourished under a tariff-free relationship with the EU, our largest export market. It's time to get back to toasts not tariffs.' Pharma tariffs still a point of disagreement in EU-US trade deal The trade deal ironed out between the EU and the US on Sunday has more than few wrinkles remaining, chief among them: What the levy on pharmaceuticals will be. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Trump deal with Europe underlines new standard of (at least) 15% tariffs From YF's Ben Werschkul: 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. 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. 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. 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. EU-US trade deal undermines bloc claims of negotiating power The US-EU trade deal has the potential to roll back months of EU posturing as a leading global economic force. This is based on the argument that the bloc has been pushed into accepting a "least-worst" deal after failing to bring suitable leverage to the trade table. Reuters reports: Read more here. The US-EU trade deal has the potential to roll back months of EU posturing as a leading global economic force. This is based on the argument that the bloc has been pushed into accepting a "least-worst" deal after failing to bring suitable leverage to the trade table. Reuters reports: Read more here. Italy's Meloni awaiting details but says trade deal 'positive' As many of the specifics of the trade deal between the EU and US remained unclear Sunday, at least one European Union leader said she was awaiting more information before passing judgment on it. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it "positive' that he agreement had been reached, but wanted to see the details, Reuters reports: Read more here. As many of the specifics of the trade deal between the EU and US remained unclear Sunday, at least one European Union leader said she was awaiting more information before passing judgment on it. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it "positive' that he agreement had been reached, but wanted to see the details, Reuters reports: Read more here. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that there isn't yet a specific US-EU agreement on tariffs regarding wine and spirits between the two trading partners, among other unsettled details, and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is lobbying for an amicable resolution. "We are optimistic that in the days ahead this positive meeting and agreement will lead to a return to zero-for-zero tariffs for U.S. and EU spirits products, which will benefit not only our nation's distillers, but also the American workers and farmers who support them from grain to glass," the trade association's president and CEO Chris Swonger said in a statement provided to Yahoo Finance. "For more than 20 years, large and small distilleries across the U.S. have flourished under a tariff-free relationship with the EU, our largest export market. It's time to get back to toasts not tariffs.' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that there isn't yet a specific US-EU agreement on tariffs regarding wine and spirits between the two trading partners, among other unsettled details, and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is lobbying for an amicable resolution. "We are optimistic that in the days ahead this positive meeting and agreement will lead to a return to zero-for-zero tariffs for U.S. and EU spirits products, which will benefit not only our nation's distillers, but also the American workers and farmers who support them from grain to glass," the trade association's president and CEO Chris Swonger said in a statement provided to Yahoo Finance. "For more than 20 years, large and small distilleries across the U.S. have flourished under a tariff-free relationship with the EU, our largest export market. It's time to get back to toasts not tariffs.' Pharma tariffs still a point of disagreement in EU-US trade deal The trade deal ironed out between the EU and the US on Sunday has more than few wrinkles remaining, chief among them: What the levy on pharmaceuticals will be. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. The trade deal ironed out between the EU and the US on Sunday has more than few wrinkles remaining, chief among them: What the levy on pharmaceuticals will be. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Trump deal with Europe underlines new standard of (at least) 15% tariffs From YF's Ben Werschkul: Read more here. From YF's Ben Werschkul: Read more here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Germany's Merz Announces Gaza Aid Airlift, Mulls Upping Ante on Israel
Germany will immediately launch an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza as it considers stepping up pressure on Israel over the "catastrophic" situation in the enclave, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday. As the death toll from almost two years of war in Gaza nears 60,000, a growing number of people are dying from starvation and malnutrition, Gaza health authorities say, with images of starving children shocking the world and fueling international criticism of Israel over sharply worsening conditions. Germany, together with the United States, has long remained one of Israel's staunchest allies and largest arms suppliers. US President Donald Trump said on Monday many people were starving in the enclave, contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who denied there was starvation there. The German security cabinet convened for more than two hours on Monday to discuss the situation, Merz told a news conference in Berlin. While it welcomed Israel's announcement of a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza as an "important first step", it agreed more must follow. Asked if the council discussed sanctions like suspending the EU pact governing relations with Israel, a move Germany has in the past rejected, Merz said the council had discussed what options were available. "We are keeping such steps on the table," he said. Before making any decisions, however, he would try to speak with Netanyahu later on Monday and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul would travel to the region on Thursday, possibly together with his British and French counterparts. The German government would then reassess the situation over the weekend. In the meantime, Berlin would do what it could to help alleviate the humanitarian situation, launching an airlift in cooperation with Jordan to deliver aid into Gaza. "Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will closely coordinate with France and the UK, who are also willing to provide such an airlift for food and medical supplies," he said. "We know that this can only provide very limited help for the people in Gaza, but it is nonetheless a contribution we are eager to make." Germany would also prepare for a Gaza reconstruction conference in coordination with regional partners, Britain and France, he said. "No further expulsions from the Gaza Strip must occur." German officials say their approach to Israel is governed by a special responsibility, known as the Staatsraison, arising from the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust. They have long believed they can achieve more through diplomatic back channels than public statements. But Merz has come under growing pressure in recent weeks, including from within his own coalition, to take a firmer stance on Israel, and faced broad criticism for failing to join a statement last week by dozens of Western nations condemning the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
France and Germany lead downbeat EU response to US trade deal
Leaders from Europe's two largest economies have led a chorus of gloomy reactions to the trade deal struck between EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the agreement would "substantially damage" his nation's finances, while French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said it was tantamount to "submission".The reaction has been downbeat across the bloc - though several capitals acknowledged signing an uneven deal was worth it in order to avert an all-out trade will see a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the US - half the rate threatened by Trump - in return for Europe buying more American energy and slashing taxes on some imports. Following private talks at Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland, von der Leyen described the agreement as a "huge deal", while Trump said it would bring the US and EU "closer together".The deal will require the approval of all 27 members of the EU, each of which has differing interests and levels of reliance on the export of goods to the no member state indicated it intended to block it from coming into force, there was little celebration among European warned that the economies of the US and European would both be negatively impacted, but also said the Brussels negotiating team "couldn't expect to achieve any more" against a US president determined to rebalance relationships with major trading was more damning, writing on X: "It is a dark day when an alliance of free peoples, brought together to affirm their common values and to defend their common interests, resigns itself to submission." Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Trump, said the US president "ate von der Leyen for breakfast".Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he would support it "without any enthusiasm".In the weeks building up the final EU-US talks there had been a growing appetite among some European leaders to ramp up the pressure on Trump by using so-called anti-coercion measures, which would have blocked US firms access to European with 30% tariffs looming, the EU struck a deal on behalf of its members - one which will still inflict an economic blow, but a less severe one that had been feared when Trump originally threatened import der Leyen had sought to present it as a success on Sunday - but by Monday, even the leader of her European People's Party, Manfred Weber, described it as "damage control".While the broad outline of the deal has been agreed, its details will be finalised after technical talks - and despite the scepticism of some, there was also widespread relief in prime minister said it would provide "much-needed predictability", while Irish Trade Minister Simon Harris said it brought the certainty "essential for jobs, growth and investment".Defending its terms at a press conference on Monday, the EU's trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said it was the "best deal we could get under very difficult circumstances".He also pointed to the security implications of maintaining cordial trade relations with the US in the context of the Ukraine that Europe and the US were "aligned on the geopolitical issues of today", he said, came with "an additional price".
