Von der Leyen to Unveil EU Strategy Amid U.S. Trade Deal Dispute

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will give her annual State of the Union speech to the European Parliament at 9 a.m.

CEST. She’ll lay out her vision for the 27-country European Union, but she’s facing a tough crowd after a controversial trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump sparked major criticism.

The deal, signed in July at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, slaps a 15% tariff on most EU goods heading to the U.S.

It’s drawn heavy fire, especially in Germany, where leaders from all sides have called it a “betrayal.” They’re upset because the agreement gives American exports duty-free access to Europe, while European products face higher costs in the U.S. market.

• Von der Leyen Faces Backlash Over U.S. Trade Deal Ahead of EU State of the Union Speech
• EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen to Outline Vision Amid Tariff Dispute with Trump
• Von der Leyen’s EU Speech Tackles Trade Deal Controversy, Economy, and Russia Tensions

Von der Leyen, who started her second term as Commission President in 2024, has defended the deal, saying it was the best way to avoid Trump’s threatened 30% tariffs. She’s pointed out that the EU’s $1.7 trillion trade relationship with the U.S. is worth protecting. Still, German politician Markus Ferber has called for her resignation, arguing the deal hurts Germany’s export-heavy economy. French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian farmers aren’t happy either, with some calling it a “surrender” and demanding support for industries hit hard by the tariffs.

In her speech, von der Leyen is expected to tackle these concerns while focusing on boosting Europe’s economy and strengthening defenses, especially with worries about Russia growing. She’s likely to highlight new trade deals with Mexico, Mercosur, and Indonesia to show Europe is looking beyond the U.S. for business. Support for Ukraine, including financial aid and sanctions on Moscow, will also be a big topic.

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But not everyone’s on board with her plans. Her push to cut regulations to help European businesses has upset left-leaning lawmakers and nearly 500 environmental groups, who say it weakens green policies. With all these challenges, von der Leyen’s speech will need to show she can steer the EU through rocky times while keeping everyone on the same page.