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U.S.-EU Tariff War Puts $10 Trillion In Business Relations At Risk

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 18, 2025

The escalating tariff war between the U.S. and the European Union is threatening nearly $10 trillion in transatlantic business relations, according to a report by the American Chamber of Commerce in the EU (AmCham EU). With both sides raising tariffs on key goods, businesses are bracing for potential disruptions to trade, investment, and global supply chains.

The High Stakes Of A Trade War

$9.5 trillion – The estimated value of U.S.-EU business ties in 2024, with industries ranging from technology and finance to energy and automotive deeply interconnected.
Intra-company trade at risk – This accounts for 90% of Ireland’s trade and 60% of Germany’s trade, meaning tariffs could disrupt the operations of major multinational corporations.
Global value chains under pressure – European automakers rely on U.S. exports, and supply chains for everything from pharmaceuticals to aerospace parts are deeply integrated.

Tit-for-Tat Tariffs Escalate Tensions

Last week, the U.S. imposed new tariffs on aluminum and steel, prompting the EU to retaliate with higher tariffs on key American goods starting in April. The trade dispute took an even sharper turn when Donald Trump threatened a 200% tax on alcohol imports from Europe, rattling financial markets.

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This escalation is no small matter. In 2024 alone, trade in goods between the U.S. and EU hit a record $976 billion, making it the largest trading relationship in the world.

Investment, Not Just Trade, Is At Stake

While tariffs dominate headlines, the bigger concern is investment. U.S. companies’ sales in Europe are four times larger than exports, while European firms’ sales in the U.S. are three times higher than their exports. A prolonged trade conflict could severely damage these deep financial and corporate ties.

Beyond Trade: Energy, Data, And Services In The Crosshairs

Energy risks – The EU is highly dependent on U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), having imported 56.2 billion cubic meters in 2023. A trade war could complicate energy security and pricing.
Data flows and services trade – Restrictions on technology, digital services, and financial transactions could have ripple effects beyond tariffs, disrupting key industries on both sides of the Atlantic.

Economic Growth At Risk

According to AmCham EU, growth rates will be uneven across the Atlantic:

U.S. GDP is expected to grow by 2.7% in 2025.
Europe’s economy is forecast to expand by just 1%, reflecting higher energy costs, regulatory burdens, and weaker consumer demand.

While economic growth remains positive, trade tensions add another layer of uncertainty, affecting business confidence and investment decisions.

Can The U.S. And EU Find Common Ground?

Despite rising tensions, AmCham EU sees opportunities for collaboration. The transatlantic economy is not just the largest trading relationship—it is also the most strategically significant. If both sides can align on key economic priorities, they could reinforce their dominance in an increasingly competitive global market.The coming months will be a critical test of whether Washington and Brussels can navigate trade disputes without derailing one of the world’s most vital economic partnerships.

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Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 17, 2026

Overview Of Financial Stability

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has released its latest balance sheet, reaffirming its steadfast role within the Eurosystem. The balance sheet, featuring total assets and liabilities of €29.545 billion, underscores the institution’s stable financial posture at the close of January 2026.

Asset Allocation And Strategic Holdings

Governor Christodoulos Patsalides issued the balance sheet, which details the CBC’s asset composition under the Eurosystem framework. Notably, the bank’s gold and gold receivables amounted to €1.635 billion, providing a significant hedge and stability to its balance sheet. Additional asset categories include claims on non-euro area residents denominated in foreign currency at €1.099 billion, while claims on euro area residents in both foreign and domestic currency add further depth to its portfolio.

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The most substantial asset category, intra-Eurosystem claims, reached €19.438 billion, an indication of the CBC’s deep integration with its European counterparts. Furthermore, euro-denominated securities held by euro area residents contributed €6.587 billion. Despite a marked emphasis on these areas, lending to euro area credit institutions in monetary policy operations recorded no activity during the period.

Liability Structure And Monetary Policy Implications

On the liabilities side, banknotes in circulation contributed €3.218 billion. Liabilities to euro area credit institutions associated with monetary policy operations were notably the largest single category, totaling €17.636 billion. Supplementary liabilities included those to other euro area residents, which aggregated to €4.989 billion, with government liabilities playing a predominant role at €4.754 billion.

Other liability items, such as claims related to special drawing rights allocated by the International Monetary Fund at €494.193 million, and provisions of €596.571 million, further articulate the CBC’s exposure. Revaluation accounts stood at €1.643 billion, and overall capital and reserves were confirmed at €333.822 million, completing the picture of a well-capitalized institution.

Conclusive Insights And Strategic Alignment

The detailed breakdown illustrates the CBC’s sizeable intra-Eurosystem exposures, reinforcing its central role within Europe’s monetary landscape. With an asset-liability balance maintained at €29.545 billion, the CBC’s financial position remains robust, indicating a commitment to structural stability and strategic risk management.

This fiscal disclosure not only provides transparency into the CBC’s operations but also serves as a benchmark for comparative analysis among other central banks within the Eurosystem, highlighting the intricate balance between asset liquidity, regulatory oversight, and monetary policy imperatives.