The EU–US Deal: Proof of Our Weakness

Big players like the US and China treat us as second-class partners. It’s hard to watch.

The recent EU–US trade deal makes this painfully clear. Instead of securing meaningful concessions, we gained no real access to US public contracts. We’ll pay a 15% tariff on imports from the US, while the US pays 0%. At the same time, Europe committed to buying €700 billion worth of energy, investing €600 billion directly in the US, and increasing spending on American weapons. As Volt Europa rightly said, this cannot be called a solution.

While the US protects its manufacturers, service providers, and innovators, Europe settles for “at least something.”

The world is changing faster than we can react. China is investing in technology and infrastructure on a scale Europe isn’t even close to matching. India’s importance is growing dramatically. And the US, as always, fiercely defends its own interests.

And us? While the other big players act with confidence, we look for the smallest common denominator. Instead of vision, we have fear. Instead of courage, half-baked compromises.

It’s hard to understand when you look at the numbers: Europe is a giant. Hundreds of millions of people, a strong economy, high living standards, quality education. All of this could make us a player that sets the terms. But that would require acting as one— not as 27 states with competing interests.

If we want to avoid becoming just a tourist destination, we need to admit that real unity and leadership are necessary. Only then will we be taken seriously.

As I wrote before, my vision for Europe is simple: more courage to think and act as one. Because if we don’t, we’ll lose—economically and politically.

I see this deal as a warning. Only a truly united Europe can be an equal partner to the US, China, or India. If we pretend the status quo is good enough, we’ll eventually discover we’ve lost the ability to decide our own destiny.

Is that really what we want?

If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, feel free to drop me a message at mail@richardgolian.com.