In a move that has provoked widespread backlash across Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is facing mounting criticism for capitulating to a controversial trade deal with US President Donald Trump, allegedly motivated by fear of losing American military support. According to a report by the Sunday Times, von der Leyen accepted a highly imbalanced agreement during a recent meeting with Trump at his golf course in Scotland-one that imposes steep tariffs on EU exports and commits Brussels to massive investments in the US economy.

The deal, finalized last week, includes a 15% tariff on most European exports to the United States, a figure significantly higher than the 10% tariff granted to the United Kingdom. Additionally, the European Union has reportedly agreed to invest $600 billion in the US economy and to purchase $750 billion worth of American energy over the next three years. Critics say these terms overwhelmingly favor the United States and represent an abandonment of the EU’s economic interests.

Even more contentious is the political context surrounding von der Leyen’s decision. According to internal Commission sources cited by the Sunday Times, officials had prepared a robust counter-offer in response to Trump’s initial 20% tariff threats. But when Trump signaled a possible increase to 30%, von der Leyen reversed course, apparently fearing that any trade escalation could provide a pretext for Trump to scale back US military support for Ukraine-or worse, initiate a withdrawal of US troops from Europe altogether.

Currently, about 80,000 American troops are stationed across the European continent, a legacy of the post-World War II transatlantic security framework. A pending US “posture review,” which may........

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