Commentary

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, center left, and other EU leaders meet with President Donald Trump Sunday at Trump Turnberry golf club in Turnberry, Scotland. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)

Not Only Is the Trade Deal the Biggest in US History, It's a Gut-Punch to Russia - But Don't Expect to Hear It from the MSM

By Randy DeSoto July 28, 2025 at 1:07pm

They say a lot of business deals get made on the golf course. That is certainly the case with President Donald Trump, who announced the largest trade deal in history Sunday from his course in Turnberry, Scotland.

And one of the key components of it will deliver a gut-punch to the Russian economy.

With European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump announced that the new deal includes the EU purchasing more than $750 billion in energy through 2028.

Additionally, the EU committed to investing $600 billion more than they are already putting into the American economy.

Today, President Trump secured a HUGE, POWERFUL TRADE DEAL between the U.S. and EU 🇺🇸

The EU will:
💰 Invest $600 Billion in U.S.
⚡️ Purchase $750 Billion in American Energy
💸 Open Markets to U.S. pic.twitter.com/PWNtlhpH5b

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 28, 2025

The White House said in a fact sheet about the deal overall that Europe already invests over $100 billion per year in the U.S.

President Trump unveils the groundbreaking terms of the HISTORIC U.S.-EU trade deal, boosting American energy, jobs, and economy:

– EU commits to purchasing $750B in U.S. energy
– 15% tariffs on EU imports
– 0% tariffs on American goods
– $600B+ in other investments pic.twitter.com/Q5dKrwxx7K

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) July 28, 2025

A reporter asked von der Leyen what concessions the U.S. made to ink the deal. “The starting point was an imbalance, a surplus on our side and a deficit on the U.S. side. And we wanted to rebalance the trade relations,” she responded.

“And we wanted to do it in a way that trade goes on between the two of us across the Atlantic, because the two biggest economies should have a good trade flow between us. And I think we hit exactly the point we wanted to find,” the EU council president added.

Biggest trade deal ever so far, plus one of the largest U.S.-EU energy deals in history that will set back Russia and China. The $750B deal Trump got selling US energy to the EU cements the U.S. as a long-term supplier, helping stabilize Europe’s energy future, after the EU… https://t.co/Paw3YG3ggZ

— Elizabeth MacDonald (@LizMacDonaldFOX) July 27, 2025

According to the European Council, its member nations have been moving away from importing Russian natural gas following Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine in February 2022.

In 2021, Russia provided over 40 percent of the EU’s natural gas, and by 2024, the total had dropped to about 11 percent.

Conversely, in 2024, the U.S. made up 16.5 percent of the LNG total imports, with Norway the largest EU provider at a little over 33 percent.

The trade deal is seen as a way to move the EU even further from Russian gas imports.

“We want to absolutely get rid of Russian fossil fuels, and therefore it is much welcome to purchase the more affordable and better LNG from the United States,” von der Leyen said.

Ursula von der Leyen: We aim to fully phase out Russian fossil fuels. EU still has too much of it.

We welcome the opportunity to buy more affordable LNG from the U.S., potentially worth $250 billion annually over the next three years. pic.twitter.com/kZv45OCIlu

— Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) July 28, 2025

Moscow uses the revenue from its sales of oil and natural gas (its largest exports by far) to help pay for its war against Ukraine.

France 24 reported that half of Russia’s LNG exports in 2024 went to the EU.

European nations paid Russia a total $233 billion for oil and natural gas from February 2022 to February 2025.

But the EU is seeking to implement a plan in which it completely phases out Russian LNG imports by the end of 2027.

“If implemented, the move could finally deliver a blow to Moscow, as oil and gas account for almost a third of Russia’s state revenue and more than 60 percent of its exports,” France 24 said.

So Trump, the dealmaker in chief, has not only negotiated the largest trade agreement in history, he’s also helped deliver a punch to Russia’s war-making capacity.

Submit a Correction →

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:

Donald Trump, Energy, Europe, European Union, Russia, Trade and tariffs, Vladimir Putin

Randy DeSoto

Contributing Journalist

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

Randy DeSoto has written more than 4,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."

@RandyDeSoto

Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.

Birthplace

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Nationality

American

Honors/Awards

Graduated dean's list from West Point

Education

United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law

Books Written

We Hold These Truths

Professional Memberships

Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars