France, July 28 -- The EU and US have struck a last-minute trade agreement that averts a major tariff hike but leaves European leaders divided over the cost of compromise.

The United States and European Union struck a high-stakes trade deal on Sunday that will see EU exports hit with a 15 percent tariff - narrowly averting a damaging transatlantic trade war. While the agreement brings short-term stability, it has also sparked criticism from some key European players.

France's Minister for Europe Benjamin Haddad was quick to respond, calling the deal "temporary stability ... but it is unbalanced" in a post on X.

His comments reflect broader concerns in Europe that, while the agreement avoids the worst-case scenario, it comes at a steep ...