The European Union and the United States confirm a framework trade agreement, one of the largest in the modern history of transatlantic relations. According to the joint declaration, EU countries are to purchase US energy resources worth $750 billion (approximately CZK 18 trillion) by 2028 and European companies are to invest an additional $600 billion (approximately CZK 14.4 trillion) in the US economy, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced.

"This deal brings $750 billion of European energy demand during the President's term, and EU companies will invest another $600 billion in the U.S.," Lutnick said on the social network X.

Energy, chips and military technology

According to the text of the statement quoted by the trade minister, European countries plan to buy from the US liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil and nuclear energy products. Modern technologies are also included in the agreement - European Union to buy $40 billion (approximately CZK 960 billion) worth of chips for data centres and artificial intelligence.

The commitments also include an increase in imports of US military equipment. In addition, the Union will provide preferential terms for imports of US fish and agricultural productsincluding fruit, vegetables and nuts.

Mutual concessions and tariffs

In return, the United States will offer Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) for imports of European aircraft and spare parts, as well as generic pharmaceuticals and their raw materials. The two sides also committed to act together in the event that third countries restrict supplies critical mineral resourceskey to industry and defence.

European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič připomněl, že "The United States has committed not to increase tariffs on European goods above 15 % and to seek to reduce them in the future".

Sceptical reactions and feasibility issues

According to economic analysts, the $750 billion energy commitment is very difficult to implement. Experts from the newspaper Financial Times i serveru MarketWatch pointed out that the EU has so far imported US energy raw materials worth around $70-80 billion a year, many times less than the plan would require.

Analysts also point out that the European Union does not have a single mechanism for the central purchase of such large volumes of raw materials. According to Wall Street Journal Therefore, the agreement may serve more as a political gesture than a realistic trade commitment.

Political implications and criticism in Europe

According to Professor Robert Basedow of the London School of Economics, "the political costs of this agreement may outweigh its economic benefits". Critics in Germany and France warn that the Union has caved in under pressure and agreed to terms that favour the United States.

On the other hand, European Commission officials say the deal will strengthen the EU's energy security and help diversify supplies at a time of growing global uncertainty.

gnews.cz - GH