Yes to Dialogue, No to Submission
This past weekend, the Trump administration threatened to reimpose sweeping tariffs on key European exports—an act of economic aggression that endangers jobs, investment, and the principle of rules-based international trade. This kind of economic blackmail is not new – it follows a pattern of intimidation based on division, fear, and dominance. As Europeans, we cannot afford to respond with silence or passivity. Now is the time for a coordinated, confident reaction – and a clear vision for transatlantic partnership beyond this moment of confrontation. We, the MEPs of the European Democratic Party Delegation to the European Parliament, call for a swift and united response.
We have been targeted by previous US tariff measures, and the lesson we have drawn from this are clear: those who act alone get sidelined. Trump’s strategy revolves around bilateral deals where the stronger dictates and the weaker yields. But Europe is not weak. Together with partners like Canada, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and allies in Latin America and Africa, we represent more than twice the economic weight of the United States. It’s time we used that strength collectively to form a united coalition.
This coalition should remain open and inclusive, inviting all like-minded countries from other continents who share our commitment to fair, rules-based trade. It could lay the groundwork for a broader Alliance of Democracies—a vision the European Democratic Party has long championed as a cornerstone of a more balanced, cooperative global order.
TODAY
A resolute and united response
We propose immediate countermeasures: a 30% retaliatory tariff on politically sensitive U.S. exports, the activation of the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument, and a coordinated digital services tax on American Big Tech.
This is not escalation for the sake of escalation—it is strategic defense. The message must be clear: economic blackmail will have consequences.
When we act in isolation, we are vulnerable to divide-and-rule tactics. Trump’s trade wars thrive on fragmentation and fear. But when we act together, we become a force he cannot ignore. He may seek bilateral capitulation, but we offer multilateral resistance. We are not small players. We are the backbone of the global economy—interconnected, rules-based, and committed to fairness and multilateralism. It’s time we reminded Washington that international trade is not a casino table to be flipped on a whim.
The EDP stands firm in defense of open, rules-based trade. These tariffs violate WTO commitments and longstanding transatlantic agreements. We will not allow our farmers, engineers, or entrepreneurs to become bargaining chips in a political stunt. We believe in free trade, but free trade must also be fair.
Sign the declaration
A tariff-free zone based on shared standards
Despite the current tensions, the transatlantic relationship remains essential. We have always had important trade partnerships with our key allies. That’s why we must look beyond the crisis and work toward a lasting solution: a tariff-free trade zone between the EU and the United States, grounded in mutual respect and common standards. This should include:
- Aligned climate, labor, and consumer protection rules
- Fair corporate taxation
- Clear digital competition frameworks
- Transparent dispute resolution mechanisms
The time to stand
together is now
Trump is not invulnerable. He responds to pressure—especially when it hits his political base. U.S. businesses, workers, and consumers will not tolerate prolonged retaliation. We’ve seen it before: he retreats when the costs rise. That’s why we must act now. We call on the European Commission and Council to coordinate this international response with our partners and allies.
This is more than a dispute over tariffs. It’s a test of whether democracies will yield to intimidation and bullying—or stand tall together. This is our moment to show that democracies can act decisively when challenged. Trump is testing our unity. Our response must be firm: we will not be bullied. We will negotiate, but not under threat. We are open to dialogue – but never to submission.
Sign the declaration
Signatories
Sandro Gozi, MEP – Yvan Verougstraete, MEP – Oihane Agirregoitia, MEP – Laurence Farreng, MEP – Christophe Grudler, MEP – Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, MEP – Christine Singer, MEP – Joachim Streit, MEP
Arnold Cassola, Momentum Malta President – Enrico Borghi, Italian Senator and Italia Viva Vice President – Ivan Scalfarotto, Italian Senator – Alice Bernard-Montini, President of the Young Democrats for Europe – Theodora Tzakri, Greek MP, EDP Vice President – Teresa Bellanova, EDP Vice President – Frederic Petit, French MP, EDP Deputy Secretary General – Gerrit Jan van Otterloo, Chairman Jnf50Plus Foundation
Gyöngyvér Kopp, Hungary – Maurizio Gasperoni, France – Anne-Cécile Duponteil, France – Francotte Catherine, Belgium – Giblasse Valerie, Belgium – Giuseppe Bronzoni, Italy – Gregory Dahan, Belgium – Cremer Hugues, Belgium – Giuseppe Valdesolo, Italy – Constantinos Alevras, Greece – Chakameh Bozorgmehr, France – Filippo Bottinelli, Italy – Christiane dumont, Belgium – Anne Fertey, FR – Clayton Mitchell Compton, United States – Alessandra Mongillo, Italy – Marina Pallaver, Italy – Maria Poravou, Greece – Luciano Tortorelli, Italia – Marin Milosavlev, Serbia – Jane Amilhat, Belgium – Brian Jefferson, United Kingdom – John Frederick, United States of America – Ralph Campbell, France – Jean-Paul Bourdon, France – Anna Manara, Greece – Fattorini Giambattista, Italy – Le Guével Michèle, France – Trevor Rose, USA – Shelagh Wilson, Spain – Evan Shereshevsky, USA – Rosana Greco, Luxembourg – Böttcher Jorg, Germany – Boldrini Sandra, Belgium – Miguel Martins, Portugal – Albe- Tani, Italy – Giuseppe Caizzi, Italy – Vittorio Barale, Italy – Grandjean Annick, Belgium – noel feeney, Ireland – Anne Grete Oren, Norway – Loosfeldt Robin, Belgium – Riccardo Cravero, Italy – Wilmotte Robin, Belgium – Dante Guerrini, Italy – Marina Pellini Piazza, Italy – Alex Trepeca, Romania – Lacroix Gauthier, Belgium – Haidara Mariam, Belgium – Formica Calogero, Belgium – Calogero Formica, Belgique – Verougstraete Xavier, Belgium – Bouchat Antoine, Belgium – Dominique Puyal, France – Giulio Lievore, Italy – Philippe Van Damme, Belgium – Ciro Gutierrez Ascanio, España – Fabien Delaunay, France – Michel Charles, Belgium – Pablo Bello, Spain – Rita Root, Italy – Giovanni Daniele Starita, Italy – Ivo Kaplan, Czech Republic – Eugenio Corazza, Italy – Vladyslav Kanakin, The Netherlands – Skourtis Ioannis, Greece – Maria Goudstikker, Belgium – Chantal Ducout-Gouriou, France – Le Bihan Vincent, Belgium – Maria Goudstikker, Belgium – Lorenzo Gerosa, Italy – Francesco Giuliano, Italy – Giorgia Petracchi, Italy – Dario Faggioni, Italy – Mathieu Baudier, Germany – ZIANE Brahim, Belgium – Roberta Di Martino, Italy – Héctor Cardona Pérez, Spain – Anna Maria Candelori, Italy – Davide Negri, Svizzera – Murat Eren Tufan, Türkiye – elske Schreuder, Nederland – Riccardo Tonino, Italy – Simone Crotti, Italy – Francesco Cucchiarini, Italy – Dardan Ibrahimi, Italia
