The European Parliament has voted by a large majority to approve part of the EU‑US trade deal. However, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) added safeguards to ensure that the United States adheres to its earlier commitments.
MEPs had been deeply concerned that Donald Trump might not honour previous agreements, potentially leading to new import tariffs on the European Union or its member states. As a “safety net,” the new trade rules will only take effect once the US guarantees it will abide by the agreements. EU concessions can also be reversed if necessary.
Trade measures
Thursday’s vote focused on abolishing import tariffs on certain US industrial products, improving market access for American agricultural goods, and maintaining a zero tariff on lobster. These measures form part of the trade deal the European Commission concluded with the Trump administration in 2025.
Bakground
Last summer, the European Commission and the US government reached an agreement in which the US reduced import tariffs on most EU products to 15 percent. In return, the Commission committed to abolishing tariffs on American industrial goods. The European Parliament had postponed its vote several times due to concerns over Trump’s threats involving Greenland and the introduction of a new general import tariff by the US.
Representatives of the European Parliament will now begin negotiations with EU member states to finalise the text of the regulation. That final version will also require a new vote.
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