EU Single Market as a Tool to Counter US Tariff Pressure (socialeurope.eu)

• US tariffs: 15% baseline, 25% on light trucks, 50% on steel/aluminum/copper
• Germany's exports to US: -10% overall, -18% in automotive
• EU needs targeted retaliation, diversification, and single market strengthening

"The US under Trump has imposed a 15% baseline tariff on most EU exports, with higher rates on key sectors: 25% on light trucks, additional 50% on steel/aluminum/copper, up to 25% on machinery. 21 of 27 EU member states saw export declines. The mid-2025 'Turnberry deal' extracted EU concessions including commitments to buy US energy. Authors argue for targeted retaliation, trade diversification, reducing dependencies in energy and defense, and leveraging the single market with coordinated industrial policy for strategic autonomy."