EU Yieids US Pressure on 15% Tariff
President Donald Trump scored a major political victory Sunday with a new trade framework with the European Union, a move that averted a potentially damaging transatlantic trade war. But even this breakthrough couldn’t eclipse the growing political storm surrounding his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
“This was the big one. This is the biggest of them all,” Trump declared after meeting EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry, Scotland. The deal includes a 15% tariff on most EU goods and a commitment from the bloc to purchase $880 billion worth of U.S. energy.
Despite the deal’s significance, Trump lashed out when asked if the timing was meant to distract from the Epstein controversy: “Oh, you have got to be kidding with that,” he snapped.
The backlash stems from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s recent meetings with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s jailed accomplice. Maxwell’s attorney stated, “We hope he exercises that power in a right and just way,” referencing Trump’s authority to issue pardons.
“I’m concerned that the deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, is meeting with (Maxwell) supposedly one-on-one,” said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA). “She’s been indicted twice on perjury. This is why we need the files.”
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie warned, “This is going to hurt Republicans in the midterms. The voters will be apathetic if we don’t hold the rich and powerful accountable.”
While Trump flexes his influence globally, the domestic unrest tied to Epstein’s legacy continues to haunt his presidency — despite policy wins. As von der Leyen put it: “He is a tough negotiator, but he is also a dealmaker.” Yet, this latest deal hasn’t quieted critics demanding answers.
