re: Europe offers to remove all tariffs on U.S. industrial goods if U.S. matches

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Last time we lost jobs and slowed GDP growth

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Which "last time" are you referring to?

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It’s amazing you and slofopro can’t seem to comprehend how the collective opinions of a board full of internet strangers could be so varied and disjointed[/quote


I'm (and others) are more concerned with the conflicting words coming out of Trumps mouth, and the way he rolled out these tariffs more than tariffs themselves.

Do you honestly believe people are reacting because they want failure? We live under the same economy.

There is a pretty large confidence crisis occurring right now, and rightly so.

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But roger and sfp said

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"Blow my back out, Daddy?"

But wait, Trump is crashing the markets? Boy the rinos have been outed.

They have f_ _ked us for decades. No deal

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You are talking to folks on the internet.

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I'm far more disturbed by people believing this stuff, without research than I am trump.

He has no power if his Amen corner is gone.

Not all tariffs are bad. Trade wars are objectively bad, and will hurt a lot of people.

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Of course you dishonest hacks ignore all of the other trade barriers these countries erect

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Why arent they as successful as us?

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Also Trump is not going to deal with EU until they agree to give US based companies the VAT rate that EU members countries get. having a different VAT rate for non-members countries is basically a tariff

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How much is the VAT for non EU countries vs the regular VAT?

Germany had a single VAT rate for all goods, regardless of country of origin, when I lived there, but that was 20 years ago.

This is all I could find on a quick Google search: "Any company selling goods for consumption in the EU—whether foreign or domestic—must pay VAT. EU produced goods pay exactly the same VAT as any imported goods."

Grok:

The Value-Added Tax (VAT) in the European Union (EU) is not inherently "higher" for American imports compared to goods from other origins, including those produced within the EU. VAT is a consumption tax applied to the sale of goods and services within the EU, and its rates are determined by each EU member state based on the type of goods or services, not their country of origin. This means that American imports are subject to the same VAT rates as EU-produced goods or imports from any other non-EU country when they enter the EU market.

Here’s how it works: When goods are imported into the EU from the United States (or any non-EU country), VAT is applied at the point of entry, typically based on the customs value of the goods (which includes the cost of the goods, shipping, insurance, and any applicable customs duties). The standard VAT rate varies by EU country—ranging from 17% in Luxembourg to 27% in Hungary as of 2025, with an EU average of about 21.8%—and must be at least 15% per EU regulations. This rate is the same one applied to domestic EU goods sold to consumers, ensuring that American imports are not singled out for a higher VAT.

One key point to consider is that VAT is applied uniformly to all goods entering the EU market for consumption, regardless of origin. For example, a smartphone imported from the U.S. to Germany would face the same 19% VAT rate as a smartphone made in Germany or imported from China when sold to a German consumer. However, goods exported from the EU to the U.S. are zero-rated for VAT (meaning no VAT is charged on the export), while U.S. goods entering the EU incur VAT. This can create a perception of asymmetry, as the U.S. does not have a federal VAT system—relying instead on state and local sales taxes, which are typically lower (0% to around 10%) and not applied at the point of import. Despite this, the VAT rate itself isn’t higher for American goods; it’s the same rate applied across the board within each EU country.

The confusion often arises from the interaction of VAT with customs duties. American imports may face additional tariffs (e.g., 10% on cars entering the EU, compared to 2.5% for EU cars entering the U.S.), which increase the taxable base for VAT calculation, effectively raising the total tax burden. However, the VAT rate remains consistent—it’s the added duties that can make the overall cost higher, not a discriminatory VAT policy targeting American goods.

In summary, the VAT in the EU is not higher for American imports compared to other goods within the same category sold in the EU. It’s applied at the same standard, reduced, or special rates as determined by each member state, regardless of whether the goods come from the U.S., Asia, or within the EU itself. Any perceived difference stems from the lack of a U.S. VAT equivalent and the additional effect of tariffs, not from the VAT rate being elevated specifically for American products.