Von der Leyen Faces Backlash as EU Parliament Weighs Trump Trade Deal

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to defend her controversial trade agreement with former US President Donald Trump before the European Parliament on Wednesday, amid widespread criticism from lawmakers who describe the deal as a capitulation to Washington.

As she begins the second year of her second term, von der Leyen aims to use her “State of the Union” address to rally support for the EU’s priorities on defence and economic competitiveness. Yet, many parliamentarians remain sceptical of the July accord, which they say exposes Europe’s vulnerabilities.

“Everyone agrees it’s a bad deal that reflects Europe’s weakness,” said Valerie Hayer, leader of the centrist Renew bloc.

Under the agreement, the EU accepts a 15% tariff on most exports to the United States, with exceptions for sectors such as aircraft, while key products like wine and spirits remain taxed. In return, Europe will purchase large volumes of US energy, scrap tariffs on American industrial goods, and grant preferential access for certain seafood and farm products.

“Von der Leyen will try to sell her deal to lawmakers, to get us to swallow the bitter pill,” said Marina Mesure of The Left group, who called it “a surrender to a predatory United States.”

A poll conducted by Cluster17 for Le Grand Continent found that 52% of Europeans view the deal as a humiliation.

An EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the challenges: “Europe appears weak. But on Trump, what matters is not so much the deal — it’s what comes after. If he does not uphold the deal, we will have to be very tough.”

The accord comes amid fresh tensions, with Trump threatening EU tech regulations and the recent antitrust fine against Google. Parliamentary approval is critical, as lawmakers must vote on a text reducing EU tariffs, essential to implementing the full deal.

Support within the parliament is divided. The centrist bloc has yet to commit, while the Socialist bloc has threatened to vote against it. Iratxe Garcia Perez, leader of the Socialists and Democrats, said: “To argue that having a bad deal is better than no deal is just totally unacceptable.”

Von der Leyen’s party, the European People’s Party, will back the deal, acknowledging its drawbacks. “Obviously, 15-percent export tariffs to the US doesn’t make us happy,” said EPP leader Manfred Weber. “But with an American president who loves tariffs, that is the best that we can get — and what we need for our economy and stability.”

Beyond trade, von der Leyen is expected to highlight EU support for Ukraine, including pledges from France and Germany to deploy a “reassurance force” after any peace agreement with Russia. She may also preview the bloc’s 19th sanctions package targeting Russian oil revenues.

However, divisions over Gaza are likely to draw criticism, with Spanish Commissioner Teresa Ribera calling the conflict a “genocide” and condemning EU inaction.