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EU Trade Deal · European Parliament · Transatlantic Trade · US Tariffs
The European Parliament approved legislation on Tuesday by a vote of 440 in favor, 151 against, and 50 abstaining, to implement the EU’s trade deal with the United States, fulfilling the EU’s commitment to remove tariffs on U.S. industrial goods and some agricultural products.
This action finalizes the EU’s side of the agreement, which was initially struck last July at President Donald Trump’s golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland. Washington had previously agreed to cap tariffs on most EU exports at 15 percent and to lower levies on European cars, with those changes taking effect last fall.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the vote result, stating, “A deal is a deal — and the EU is delivering its part.” The process of getting the deal onto the EU’s books faced delays, notably due to top trade lawmaker Bernd Lange demanding additional safeguards after Trump’s threats regarding Greenland and Spain. A hard-fought compromise was reached last month, allowing Parliament to ask the Commission to suspend the deal if Washington fails to lower duties on steel and aluminum products by the end of 2026.
Additionally, the EU’s tariff concessions will expire at the end of 2029, after Trump is due to leave office. The delay had tested Washington’s patience, with President Trump threatening in early May to hike tariffs again if the EU institutions did not reach a deal by July 4.
The Council of the EU is now expected to rubber-stamp the texts on June 26, before official publication and entry into force.
