31-07-2025
European org: Some ag products 'may benefit' from tariffs
EFFAT criticised the "contradictory claims" in the EU-US trade agreement.
The European Federation of Food, Agriculture, and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) believes that the European Commission and the White House have made "contradictory claims" about the content and scope of the EU-US trade deal.
On Sunday evening, July 27, the EU and the US signed a trade agreement during US President Donald Trump's visit to Scotland.
The agreement will avoid tariffs of 30% being imposed by the US on EU goods from August 1, instead, a baseline tariff of 15% on EU goods to the US is included in the agreement.
According to EFFAT, there are still "many uncertainties" concerning the deal, with several aspects still to be negotiated.
Although the 15% baseline tariff will apply for agricultural products, EFFAT claims that certain agricultural products may benefit from lower tariff barriers, or zero-for-zero tariffs, depending on the outcome of future negotiations.
EFFAT has expressed "deep concern" about the proposed 15% baseline tariff, which is only 5% lower than the 20% initially "threatened" by the US.
Speaking on the agreement, EFFAT general secretary, Enrico Somaglia said: "While detailed information on the agri-food sector is still lacking, it is becoming increasingly clear that many products will be subject to the 15% baseline tariff.
"On top of this, we must consider the 13%-dollar devaluation against the euro since the start of 2025, as well as the reality that European companies are already paying significantly more for energy than their U.S. competitors. Meanwhile, it appears the EU has lowered its tariffs on U.S. imports."
"These figures are a harbinger of challenging times across the agri-food sectors — the costs of this new reality will ultimately be paid for by workers, many businesses across Europe, as well as consumers in the United States," Somaglia added.
The EFFAT general secretary outlined that the EU Commission claims the agreement was made in the interest of stability and predictability.
However, be believes there was other ways to respond to the Trump administration's authoritarian approach to international relations, and that the deal has left "great uncertainty and concerns".
EFFAT has reiterated its demands to EU institutions and member states, and called for them to immediately engage with social partners to take action.
EFFAT called for the EU to:
