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Europe’s Trade Deal With the US Was Dead on Arrival — It’s Time to Bury It for Good

By Georg Riekeles and Varg Folkman

They say “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” That should be the EU’s guiding principle as it stares down a deeply flawed trade deal with the United States — one pushed under pressure and shrouded in political compromise.

Dubbed the “Turnberry deal” — after the golf course owned by Donald Trump where key discussions reportedly took place — this proposed EU-US accord has been described by critics as both a capitulation and a humiliation for Europe.

And they’re not wrong.

3 Reasons This Deal Is Worse Than You Think

1. It Rewards Bullying Over Diplomacy

The deal, negotiated under heavy pressure from the Trump administration, rewards coercive tactics. By entering into talks with an administration that weaponizes tariffs and trade threats, the EU set a dangerous precedent: bully hard enough, and Europe will cave.

This undermines the EU’s reputation as a strategic and principled negotiator on the world stage.

2. It Locks Europe Into an Unequal Economic Relationship

The terms heavily favor US interests, particularly in agriculture, digital services, and industrial standards. In areas where the EU has long championed regulatory independence, this deal would force alignment with American norms — including those that undermine EU consumer protections, labor rights, and climate commitments.

Essentially, it’s a one-way street — and Europe’s economy is on the losing end.

3. It Undermines EU Sovereignty and Long-Term Strategy

At a time when the EU is seeking greater economic autonomy, especially in strategic industries like green energy and digital infrastructure, this deal would do the opposite. It ties Europe closer to Trump-era US economic policy, which is transactional, unpredictable, and hostile to multilateralism.

Rather than advancing European interests, the deal leaves Brussels constrained by Washington’s shifting politics — hardly a recipe for long-term stability.

The EU Must Walk Away — Here’s How

Walking away from a high-profile transatlantic deal is no small move. But if the EU wants to assert itself as a global actor capable of defending its values, it must abandon the Turnberry framework and start over on its own terms.

Here’s what that could look like:

1. Make a Clean Break — Publicly and Strategically

The EU should formally withdraw from the negotiations, clearly explaining that the terms are incompatible with its principles. Transparency will be key to rebuilding trust, both internally and with global partners.

2. Coordinate With Like-Minded Allies

Rather than chasing Washington’s approval, Europe should strengthen ties with democratic, rules-based economies — Canada, Japan, Australia — and focus on a trade model based on mutual respect, green innovation, and fair competition.

3. Reinvest in European Sovereignty

Use this moment to accelerate investment in strategic autonomy: green industries, chip manufacturing, AI regulation, and defense capabilities. The goal isn’t isolationism, but a Europe that is stronger and less vulnerable to external pressure.

A Wake-Up Call for Europe

The Turnberry deal is not just flawed — it’s a symptom of a deeper European vulnerability to outside coercion. If the EU doesn’t learn from this, it risks repeating the same mistakes under future US administrations — whether it’s Trump again or someone with similar tactics.

Now is the time to bury this deal, not revive it. The EU has the opportunity — and the responsibility — to negotiate from strength, not fear.

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