As President Trump revives tariff threats against the EU, MEPs Jörgen Warborn and Željana Zovko warn of the risks to the transatlantic partnership. They call for a united European response, deeper internal market integration, and global trade leadership rooted in rules and cooperation.

The transatlantic partnership between the European Union and the United States is more than a trading relationship. It is a foundation built on shared values, deep-rooted ties, and mutual prosperity. That foundation is now being recklessly destabilised by the Trump administration’s erratic tariff threats.

President Trump’s announcement of steep, so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’, 20% on the EU and 10% on most other countries, along with his ongoing threats to reinstate even harsher measures pose a serious risk of damage to both our economies. While he temporarily suspended the higher tariffs, his unpredictability continues to undermine trust and stability in one of the world’s most important economic alliances.

Let us be clear: tariffs benefit no one. They hurt European and American consumers, disrupt industries, and weaken the global economy. The EU cannot and will not accept a trading relationship based on intimidation. Our response will be proportionate, balanced, and fully compliant with WTO rules.

But our goal is not escalation - it is engagement.

Just as we did in 2018, the European Union must bring the United States back to the negotiating table. We must defend the Single Market — our most powerful economic tool — and use its scale as leverage in these talks. Unity within Europe is critical. Only through a strong, coordinated approach can we protect European interests and restore a constructive dialogue with Washington.

To ensure long-term resilience and strategic strength, the EPP Group supports a threefold path forward:

First, we must deepen our Internal Market. Removing barriers and harmonising rules will unlock immense potential - the IMF estimates internal market inefficiencies are equivalent to tariffs of 45% in manufacturing and an astonishing 110% in services. This is unacceptable. A more integrated Europe is a stronger Europe.

Second, we must expand our global trade network — by finalising ongoing agreements with Mercosur and Mexico and accelerating negotiations with key partners such as India, Indonesia, and others. While the US turns inward, we will not wait for Washington’s permission to lead global trade.

Third, Europe must champion reform of the World Trade Organization. President Trump's tactics undermine the WTO and the very idea of rules-based trade. We will not allow the Most Favoured Nation principle to be casually discarded. Reforming the WTO’s dispute settlement system is essential to restoring trust and fairness in global trade.

With €865 billion in EU-US trade at stake, we cannot afford complacency. The EU exports vital goods to the US - pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, and vehicles - and relies on key imports in return. The health of our economies is interlinked. Undermining this relationship would be an act of mutual self-harm.

The EPP Group stands firm: we will protect European jobs, defend our principles, and work tirelessly to preserve the transatlantic alliance. President Trump’s tariff war is a distraction. The real task is clear: to build a future of open, fair, and stable global trade.

Let’s choose cooperation over confrontation and leadership over provocation.

Jörgen Warborn, EPP Coordinator - Committee on International Trade  (INTA)

Željana Zovko, EPP Vice-Chairwoman

Disclaimer – All opinions expressed in this column reflect the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of EXPERT EUROPE or its editorial team.