As Ursula von der Leyen left Scotland last weekend with the ink still drying on the US-EU trade deal she had just signed with Donald Trump, the reception in European capitals was beyond gloomy.
After all the posturing, and threats of counter-tariffs, Ms Von der Leyen had signed a deal which was roundly criticised by a long line of leaders including German chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said the agreement would “substantially damage” his nation’s finances, and French prime minister Francois Bayrou, who described it as tantamount to “submission”.
