Harsh Reality of US Deal Stirs EU Soul-Searching Over Lost Clout

The European Union (EU) is grappling with the aftermath of its new trade deal with the United States, which has highlighted the bloc's diminished global influence. The article suggests that EU leaders are engaging in a period of soul-searching as they come to terms with the harsh realities of their weakened position on the international stage. The trade arrangement with the US has exposed the EU's limited bargaining power and its inability to dictate the terms of the agreement. This has prompted EU officials to reflect on the union's declining clout and its struggle to assert its interests on the global stage. The article suggests that the EU's reduced influence is a result of various factors, including the UK's departure, the economic challenges faced by member states, and the rise of other powerful players on the world stage. As the EU navigates this changing landscape, it must confront the difficult task of regaining its footing and reasserting its position as a prominent global actor.