Trump Says Europe Better Get It Together on Immigration Despite Inking a Trade Deal With the EU
Trump is currently in Scotland, involved in heavy negotiations with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to avert a potentially costly trade war. But that hasn’t stopped the president from taking the time between rounds of golf to criticize European leaders over wind turbines and immigration, claiming there won’t be a Europe unless they “get their act together”.
“I say two things to Europe. Stop the windmills. You’re ruining your countries. I really mean it, it’s so sad. You fly over and you see these windmills all over the place, ruining your beautiful fields and valleys and killing your birds,” he said. “On immigration, you better get your act together,” he said. “You’re not going to have Europe anymore.”
However, despite such admonishments on Sunday, the United States struck a framework trade deal with Europe, averting a troubling trade showdown between two allies who account for almost a third of global trade.
The deal, which includes a 15% tariff on EU goods entering the US and significant EU purchases of US energy and military equipment, will bring welcome clarity for EU companies.
The announcement came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Scotland for talks with US President Donald Trump to push a hard-fought deal over the line.
“It was a very interesting negotiation. I think it’s going to be great for both parties,” the president said.
Von der Leyen praised Mr. Trump, calling it a “good deal” and a “huge deal” that followed “tough negotiations.”
“We have a deal. We have a trade deal between the two largest economies in the world, and it’s a big deal, it’s a huge deal,” she said. “It will bring stability. It will bring predictability.”
Trump, who is seeking to reorder the global economy and reduce decades-old US trade deficits, has so far reeled in agreements with Britain, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam, although his administration has failed to deliver on a promise of “90 deals in 90 days.”
Trump’s arrival in Scotland has required the biggest security operation since Elizabeth II died in 2022. More than 5,000 police and security personnel are involved in the four-day visit with no risks taken after the assassination attempt on the president a year ago.
High perimeter fences have been erected around the coastal golf course with naval vessels patrolling the shore, while security drones are overhead, and dozens of security details stake out the resort. The heavy security presence may be a foretaste of events to come later in August when the US vice-president, JD Vance, and his family arrive for a holiday in the Cotswolds, reportedly in the village of Charlbury.
“About Bill Sheridan” is as about as blank as his bio pic. Who is Bill Sheridan and what gives him the right to write for PBP. Or can just any snook step up and spew away. (I guess they can in the comments, but commentors don’t really count, do they?)
Trump signed us up for a 15% tax on products from Europe with a unprovable promise to buy $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S., up from about $80 billion a year, and to invest $600 billion by 2028. This is all on Trump’s watch and it will be interesting to see him count the results. The current 1% EU tariff on US goods is gone. Overall this is a bad deal for the EU, they caved. But the deal is also bad for US consumers.
As Horist has noted, the 15% EU tariff does not mean an instant 15% price increase. But it does mean a 15% adder to the cost of product. It does mean a 15% tariff tax, without Congressional representation, on the product that will be deposited in our General Fund, right where your income tax dollars go. And will be spent as such.
About 20% of US imports are EU, about $300B, so Americans will see that product cost increase in 20% of imports for about $60B a year in taxes. Sooner or later, that tax, that product cost increase, will work its way into higher prices. Inflationary. Still not sure what we gain by that, or WIFM. Not sure what Europe buying some US energy means to me.
As of the end of June, Trump has collected $113B in tariff taxes from US buyers of imports. The EU will represent about $60B in tariffs paid by US buyers each year, if we keep buying, so it’s a major boost to the overall tariff receipts. Its’ skyrocketing as Trump took $27M in during June, over a 300% tariff tax increase. It’s a General Fund slush fund to cover Trump’s mass deportation and tax cut deficits. He’s playing three-card Monty with our tax payments.
During the trip, where Trump did personal business, personal pleasure, and a little work for the US citizen, while using the bully pulpit to market his new golf course in Scotland, MAGA, Trump got so haughty as to suggest to the EU they fix their immigration (like he has), and destroy the windmills — they ruin his view. I think Holland had a comment for that……something about hundreds of years and no issues. Matter of fact, people love the view.
Sheridan claims, without proof, we are doing this to level trade imbalances. The deal, for the record, does not. Not on paper, not by contract. There is hope, there is no guarantee. Why didn’t Sheridan know that or tell you that? Guess he was busy tilting windmills.
I don’t mind conservative thinking. Matter of fact, I learn much by it. But you have to think. Not just parrot Trump and his acolytes.
Like so many, Tariff scaredy cats such as Frank do not understand the idea is NOT to have to impose tariffs, but force the other guy to drop his to reasonable levels.
Read Art of the Deal Frank.