Tariffs on 99.5 per cent of goods from India to the EU and 96.6 per cent of European goods exports to India will be eliminated or reduced. “We have sent a signal to the world that rules-based co-operation still delivers great outcomes,” von der Leyen said. Previous US administrations regarded the EU and India as almost indispensable allies, but Trump has humiliated both and incentivised them to reduce their dependence on Washington. The Europeans signed a trade deal with India,” he said, adding that the Europeans were financing a war against themselves. Where the EU and India appeared to agree was on Trump’s ‘Board of Peace‘, which neither of them is in any hurry to join.

Source: The Irish Times January 28, 2026 14:08 UTC