Nothing says transatlantic cooperation quite like the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreeing tariff terms on United States President Donald Trump’s luxury golf course. On 27 July 2025, Von der Leyen flew, at Trump’s invitation, to his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. But in what Von der Leyen called a “huge deal” after “tough negotiations”, the two agreed on a 15% import tariff on the “vast majority” of EU goods, “including cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals”. And although Von der Leyen helped halve the threatened 30% tariff, the rate is still a problem, and not the worst of it. Whether Von der Leyen’s gamble reflects pragmatic diplomacy or fear-driven concession, it is clear: the EU no longer sets the rules—it reacts to them.