Following the trade agreement reached Sunday between the European Union and the United States, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič described it as the “best deal we could get.” Speaking on Monday, he stated that the capped 15-percent tariff on cars and other goods will help preserve jobs and support Slovakia’s automotive industry.
Šefčovič also expressed optimism about future cooperation in sectors like steel and ferro-alloys, where the EU and US plan to tackle unfair imports from third countries. He added that the tariff cap guarantees no further hikes, providing stability for industries including automotive, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors.
However, Slovakia’s opposition parties – including Progressive Slovakia (PS), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), and For the People (Za ľudí) – criticised the government for not securing exemptions to protect Slovakia’s automotive sector, warning of job losses and reduced competitiveness. The Slovak National Party (SNS) went further, condemning the deal as a loss of sovereignty and accusing EU leadership of capitulating to US pressure.
President Peter Pellegrini welcomed the agreement on social media, but cautioned that its full impact on EU competitiveness will only become clear over time.
Source: TASR, POLITICO
