A sweeping backlash exposes the fragility of Brussels’ approach to Washington.
Brussels, September 2025
A recent poll conducted across the European Union’s five largest member states reveals deep public disillusionment over the new EU–US trade agreement. More than half of those surveyed described the deal as humiliating, while only a negligible fraction expressed pride in its terms.
Under the agreement, most European goods entering the United States face a fifteen percent tariff, while a wide range of American products enjoy tariff-free access to the EU market. Select items such as aircraft and critical components are covered by so-called zero-for-zero arrangements. Yet only two percent of respondents believe the deal benefits Europe, while more than three-quarters argue it overwhelmingly favors the United States.
The emotions triggered by the agreement are intense. Across the board, fifty-two percent of respondents characterized the outcome as humiliating. The strongest negative sentiment was recorded in France and Spain, while in Poland a notable segment of the public expressed indifference.
When asked who bears responsibility, over sixty percent pointed to the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyen, who served as chief negotiator, drew the harshest criticism. Three out of four respondents said she had failed to defend European interests effectively, and six in ten favored her resignation. The survey results underline how a policy decision intended to stabilize transatlantic relations has instead shaken confidence in EU leadership.
Financial elements tied to the deal add to the controversy. The EU committed to substantial U.S. investments and long-term energy purchases. Nearly three-quarters of respondents opposed these measures, and seventy percent said they were prepared to boycott American goods in protest. This backlash reflects not only dissatisfaction with the economic terms but also broader concerns about sovereignty and fairness.
At a deeper level, the discord highlights widespread anxiety about the EU’s geopolitical posture. While support for EU membership remains relatively high—ranging from sixty to eighty-five percent across the surveyed countries—a significant minority indicated that repeated failures to shield citizens from external pressures could make them reconsider their commitment to the union. Such sentiments, while still marginal, reveal a vulnerability that political leaders cannot afford to ignore.
European legislators across the political spectrum have already begun mobilizing against the agreement. Critics argue that it undermines domestic industries and violates fundamental trade principles. EU officials counter that the deal prevented an even harsher alternative, since Washington had threatened tariffs of thirty percent or more if negotiations failed. This defensive posture, however, has done little to convince a skeptical public.
The controversy underscores a dangerous imbalance. Trust in European leadership is eroding at a moment when cohesion with the United States is seen as essential to managing global challenges. If Brussels cannot repair the perception of having capitulated, it risks further alienating citizens and weakening its ability to negotiate effectively in the future.
For policymakers, the lesson is stark. Public opinion cannot be treated as an afterthought in high-stakes trade negotiations. Failure to secure terms that are not only legally defensible but also publicly acceptable may erode legitimacy in ways that no technical explanation can repair. The challenge now is whether European institutions can recover credibility quickly enough to prevent deeper fractures.
Behind every data point, the intention.
Detrás de cada dato, la intención.