OPINION:
European socialists are furious with Ursula von der Leyen. Over the weekend, the unelected boss of the 27 nations that comprise the European Union threw in the towel and gave President Trump everything he wanted.
“We have a trade deal between the two largest economies in the world,” she said. “It’s a big deal, it’s a huge deal.”
Mr. Trump signed off on the bargain between rounds of golf at his Turnberry resort in Scotland. Because Europe can’t afford to lose access to the U.S. market, Mr. Trump knew he didn’t need to bend.
In an appearance with the 47th president, Ms. von der Leyen described her counterpart: “You’re known as a tough negotiator and dealmaker — and fair.” She explained how the new pact would “rebalance” bilateral commerce and “make it more sustainable.”
The European Union will drop the protectionist barriers that previously blocked many American manufacturers from competing on the continent. Importers of most goods exported to the United States will pay a 15% tariff. A few industries, such as semiconductors and aircraft, will have zero tariffs on both sides.
Most significantly, Europe agreed to stop buying natural gas from Moscow and purchase $750 billion in U.S. energy. You know America had the upper hand in the transaction because the French prime minister is miffed. “It is a dark day when an alliance of free peoples, gathered to affirm their values and defend their interests, resolves to submission,” Francois Bayrou wrote on X.
American businesses recognize that this administration is creating opportunities and have been preparing for months. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the observation with data, saying capital expenditures showed the “strongest back-to-back growth” in nearly three decades.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill jumpstarted investment that’s lifting productivity, wages, and living standards. Blue collar paychecks are rising fast — second only to President Trump’s first term — and the best is yet to come,” he wrote on X.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has also detected the nascent boom in domestic manufacturing, to the chagrin of Mr. Trump’s critics across the political spectrum. Opponents insisted trade battles would doom the economy and increase the costs of goods, neither of which has happened. Inflation is steady, below 3%.
This president doesn’t just resolve trade wars amicably; he is also preventing real conflicts. Mr. Trump de-escalated tensions between Thailand and Cambodia with a mere phone call. Artillery exchanges over a disputed border region killed more than 30 and sent more than 200,000 fleeing for safety last week.
Mr. Trump threatened to cut off trade with both countries, leaving them no choice but to negotiate a solution. This win followed the administration’s success in persuading nations such as India and Pakistan, or Congo and Rwanda, to lay down their missiles, creating an enviable record in stopping deadly quarrels. “I’m averaging about a war a month. The last three were very close together,” he said Monday.
Americans are starting to realize they made the right choice in November. The world is more peaceful and prosperous than it would have been with former Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Joseph R. Biden at the helm. No wonder the latest Wall Street Journal and CNN surveys show Democrats’ net favorability is down 26 to 30 percentage points.
If the president continues to deliver results like this over the next 3½ years, expect additional surrenders to the Make America Great Again agenda.
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