A senior figure within the European Union’s governing body has voiced concerns regarding the recently concluded EU-US trade agreement, describing the outcome as “not satisfactory”. Sepp Müller, a vice chairman of the European People’s Party’s parliamentary group, expressed his reservations in interviews with RTL and ntv, stating that the percentage-based tariffs imposed are “counterproductive for our economy”. He urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to pursue further negotiations on the deal.
Beyond the trade agreement, Müller also championed the implementation of a digital tax targeting foreign media companies. He argued that the EU, representing a consumer base exceeding 400 million people, must project strength and leverage its economic power. He emphasized that this message should be clear to leaders like Donald Trump, as well as Xi Jinping in China.
Müller connected the push for a digital tax to the impact of evolving trade policies. He explained that it’s crucial not only to safeguard European media from the influence of American and Chinese social media platforms, but also to generate revenue to offset losses incurred due to shifts in international trade practices. He believes that a strong, unified European stance is vital to navigate the evolving global economic landscape.