World War Fee The US and European Union have fleshed out details on their sweeping trade deal, promising billions in AI chip sales, a 15 percent tariff cap on key sectors including autos and semiconductors, and a framework for digital rule-making that could reshape the transatlantic tech industry.

Europe traded autonomy for stability in Trump's new order of tariffs as a permanent weapon, not a bargaining chip. Strategic autonomy slips further out of reach...

The pact, [1]announced on Thursday, confirms that Brussels intends to buy at least $40 billion worth of US AI chips for its computing centers, guaranteeing business for American suppliers and giving the EU the silicon it needs for its AI and cloud ambitions. Both sides also promised to align technology security standards to prevent "leakage to destinations of concern," with Washington pledging easier export approvals once safeguards are in place.

The proposed deal, controversially, puts Europe's $20 trillion market firmly in the frame, with the Commission saying that it "intends to eliminate tariffs on all US industrial goods and to provide preferential market access for a wide range of US seafood and agricultural goods."

The semiconductor terms are especially notable. US President Donald Trump had threatened a 100 percent tariff on EU and other [2]chip imports , raising fears of a trade war that would have battered the industry.

Instead, both sides settled on a 15 percent cap, which still stings but is preferable to doomsday scenarios. The same 15 percent ceiling also covers pharmaceuticals (except generics) and lumber. Trump had earlier threatened tariffs of up to 250 percent on pharma to push drugmakers back to the US.

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The US will cut its 27.5 percent tariff on EU automobiles and parts to 15 percent once Brussels tables the required tariff-cut legislation, but still far above the pre-Trump norm of 2.5 percent. ACEA, the European carmakers' association, called it a [4]step forward but called for momentum to keep pushing tariffs lower.

Who pays for the new tariffs? Is it European or American companies? In its [5]FAQ on Thursday's announcement, the EU was keen to ensure it was understood that "tariffs are paid by the company importing the imported goods. So, for tariffs imposed by the US, it is the American importer who pays. For example, if a European company exports shoes to the US, the US company buying these shoes owe the tariffs to the US government. In many cases, the importing company will push to offset some of this cost either by asking for a discount from the supplier or by raising the price for end consumers. In the end, it is usually the consumers (in this case, US consumers) who will indirectly pay for the tariffs."

Beyond tariffs, the EU intends to procure $750 billion of US energy products through 2028, while European companies are expected to invest $600 billion in American strategic sectors. Military procurement is part of the package, too, though details remain scarce.

Digital trade also gets a reprieve. The EU said it would not impose network usage fees, and both parties agreed to maintain zero tariffs on electronic transmissions, an essential safeguard for cloud platforms, e-commerce, and cross-border software services.

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While the joint statement avoided naming it, Brussels' Digital Services Act remains the elephant in the room. The sweeping law forces US platforms to play by European rules on content moderation and transparency, and officials in Brussels are expected to use it as [8]leverage in future regulatory discussions even if it isn't written into the trade pact.

In an FAQ published alongside the announcement, the European Commission said the pact "compares well to results obtained by other US trading partners."

[9]To heck with export controls! Nvidia reportedly plotting cut-down B300 for Chinese market

[10]Trump does a 180 on Intel chief following White House meeting

[11]Panic buying ahead of Trump tariffs added $825 million to Apple's sales last quarter

[12]US lowers tariffs on major tech exporting nations - but buyers will still pay more

"The deal safeguards the competitiveness of EU exports into the US in a situation where the US has increased tariffs on all its imports," it added. "EU exports will continue to be in a strong position on the US market in comparison to other US trading partners."

Others have been less swooning about the terms of the deal.

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Chief economist at the Centre for European Reform Sander Tordoir said, "Some - including myself - argue the EU missed key chances to retaliate," while political strategist, Velina Tchakarova, said of the deal: "Europe traded autonomy for stability in Trump's new order of tariffs as a permanent weapon, not a bargaining chip. Strategic autonomy slips further out of reach."

For the tech sector, the immediate winners – depending on how you look at it – are clear. US chipmakers secure fresh orders; European AI projects gain access to critical hardware; and cloud and digital providers get commitments on cross-border services. What remains uncertain is whether the EU's regulatory clout, particularly the DSA, will clash with Washington’s priorities once the framework is put into practice.

The deal is still only a framework and will require ratification and legislative follow-through. If it sticks, it could reset the rules for chips, planes, cars, and cloud services. If not, it risks being another glossy transatlantic handshake that unravels once the fine print hits national parliaments. ®

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[1] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/joint-statement-united-states-european-union-framework-agreement-reciprocal-fair-and-balanced-trade-2025-08-21_en

[2] https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/07/us_semiconductor_tariffs_100_percent/

[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/publicsector&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aKeW-AjFu5hWFzbG10lpuQAAAA8&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

[4] https://www.acea.auto/press-release/clarity-on-eu-us-auto-tariffs-marks-progress-now-momentum-must-be-maintained/

[5] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_25_1974

[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/publicsector&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aKeW-AjFu5hWFzbG10lpuQAAAA8&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

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[8] https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/07/eu_to_target_us_tech/

[9] https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/19/nvidia_cut_down_b300_for_china/

[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/12/trump_intel_meeting/

[11] https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/good_news_apple_says_trump/

[12] https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/recipricoal_tariff_changes/

[13] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/publicsector&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aKeW-AjFu5hWFzbG10lpuQAAAA8&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[14] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/