Poland is expected to suffer financial losses of approximately $2.16 billion due to the new US tariffs on European goods, Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed Tuesday. While acknowledging the damage these measures could cause, Tusk maintained that the compromise deal struck between the European Union and the United States is preferable to an all-out trade war.
Speaking after the announcement of the trade agreement, Tusk emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling the losses “painful” but asserting that a negotiated outcome was the “lesser evil.” The 15 percent tariff rate imposed by Washington is significantly lower than the initial threat of 30 percent floated earlier this year.
“US tariffs on European products have become a reality,” Tusk said in a post on social media platform X. “They are half the rate proposed by President Trump in April, but there is little reason to celebrate.” The Prime Minister’s remarks highlighted the impact the deal will have on the Polish economy, even though the country’s direct exports to the US are relatively limited.
According to data from Statistics Poland, Polish exports to the US totaled €1.9 billion in the first two months of 2025, accounting for just 3.6 percent of the country’s total exports. However, Polish firms frequently serve as subcontractors in the European supply chain, especially in manufacturing and automotive sectors.
Poland expects billions in losses from new US tariffs
For example, Polish companies produce car parts that are exported to Germany, which in turn exports finished vehicles to the United States. The newly applied 15 percent tariff includes cars, which had previously faced a much lower 2.5 percent rate. Poland’s estimated loss of 8 billion zlotys stems from the ripple effects across the supply chain, particularly in its industrial and agricultural sectors.
Analysts believe these industries will bear the brunt of the US tariffs, prompting Warsaw to pursue compensation through European Union funding mechanisms. The framework agreement, reached Sunday between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, averted a full-scale trade conflict between the two economic blocs, which together account for nearly one-third of global trade.
Automotive sector fears ripple effect of tariffs
Nonetheless, the agreement has sparked mixed reactions across Europe. While Tusk advocated for damage control and a pragmatic approach, other European leaders were more critical, describing the tariffs as unjustified protectionist measures. The contrast in responses reflects deeper concerns within the EU over future transatlantic trade relations.
Meanwhile, other Central European countries are also bracing for the economic fallout. The Czech Finance Ministry reported on Tuesday that the US tariffs are expected to reduce the country’s economic growth by 0.2 percentage points for the remainder of this year and by 0.39 percentage points in 2026.
Despite the blow to Poland’s economy, Tusk concluded that the trade agreement, although difficult, was a better outcome than escalating tensions between allies. “A tough deal is still better than a senseless tariff war,” he wrote. – By Content Syndication Services.