The new US-EU trade agreement has created a sharp north-south divide within the bloc, with the terms clearly benefiting the industrial economies of the north while punishing the more diverse, brand-focused economies of the south. This disparity is fueling internal tensions and accusations of an imbalanced EU agenda.
The primary beneficiary is Germany, the northern industrial powerhouse, whose automotive sector gets a specific, tailor-made solution to its biggest trade problem. This provides a direct and massive economic boost to the heart of the northern European economy.
In contrast, the southern European economies are hit hard. Italy, a major southern power, faces a devastating combination of tariffs and currency effects on its diverse “Made in Italy” exports. France, with its southern agricultural heartlands, sees its vital wine industry hit with a 15% tariff. Spain’s leader has also expressed a lack of enthusiasm, reflecting a broader southern discomfort.
This north-south divide is a dangerous dynamic for EU unity. It feeds a narrative that the bloc’s policies are dictated by Berlin to serve its own interests, without adequate concern for the economic realities of its southern partners. As the EU moves forward, bridging this deal-induced chasm will be a critical political challenge.