Sun Jul 13 11:22:51 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article rewrite, focusing on its relevance from an Indian perspective:

**Summary:**

A high-ranking German politician, Juergen Hardt, believes the EU and the US can reach a partial trade agreement before August 1st, postponing the threat of increased import duties. This comes after President Trump threatened to raise tariffs on imports from Mexico and the EU, following unsuccessful negotiations. Hardt argues that these tariffs would hurt American consumers and businesses. He also suggests Trump mistakenly believes the EU’s protectionist measures cause the US trade deficit, while highlighting the US’s surplus in services, driven by its strong IT sector. Hardt believes the US benefits from global trade due to its wealth and should not seek to reduce imports.

**News Article:**

**India Watches as EU, US Trade War Looms: German Politician Predicts Last-Minute Deal**

**New Delhi, July 13, 2025:** As the global trade landscape becomes increasingly fraught, India is closely monitoring the escalating tensions between the European Union and the United States. A senior German politician has offered a glimmer of hope, predicting a potential last-minute deal to avert a full-blown trade war.

Juergen Hardt, deputy leader of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU/CSU parliamentary group, believes that despite President Trump’s recent threat to impose a 30% tariff on EU and Mexican imports starting August 1st, a partial agreement is still possible.

“The negotiating poker game between the EU and the U.S. is entering its decisive phase,” Hardt told Reuters. “I’m betting that at least a partial agreement and a further postponement will be reached before August 1.”

This news is particularly relevant for India, which has its own trade interests tied to both the EU and the US. Disruptions in these major economies could ripple through global markets, impacting Indian exports and economic growth. While India has previously revised retaliatory duties against the US regarding steel and aluminum tariffs, escalating tariffs between other nations create economic uncertainty for everyone.

Hardt further argued that increased tariffs would ultimately harm American consumers and companies by driving up prices. He also challenged Trump’s assertion that the EU’s trade policies are the primary cause of the US trade deficit, pointing to the US’s strong performance in the services sector, particularly in information technology.

The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the global trade order and India’s position within it. Analysts in India are watching closely to determine how to best navigate the potential fallout from the ongoing trade disputes.

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