The European Parliament voted on Tuesday in favour of lowering tariffs on a wide range of US products, formally advancing the bloc’s part of a deal previously agreed with US President Donald Trump. The agreement is designed to prevent a return to retaliatory tariff measures between the two economic powers.
Under the deal, first outlined last year at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, the EU committed to removing duties on American industrial exports and expanding preferential access for US agricultural goods. In exchange, Washington agreed to maintain a 15% tariff rate on most European imports.
Although the framework was agreed months ago, implementation had stalled in the European Parliament. US officials had warned that delays could trigger new tariff hikes, with Trump previously threatening significantly higher duties if the EU failed to meet legislative deadlines.
Lawmakers ultimately approved the package by a clear majority, also extending a duty-free arrangement for US lobster imports a limited trade concession originally introduced during Trump’s first term. The vote effectively removes the final major political barrier to putting the agreement into force.
The US side is expected to mirror the arrangement by formalising its own tariff structure before a temporary lower-rate system expires later this year. However, some uncertainty remains over timing and enforcement, particularly as Washington considers broader adjustments to trade policy.
The legislation includes built-in safeguards allowing the EU to suspend concessions if the US does not comply with agreed terms. It also requires review measures if Washington maintains higher than expected tariffs on selected industrial goods, including metal based products.
While the vote is expected to prevent an immediate rise in trade tensions, analysts note that unresolved issues including digital taxes and sector-specific tariffs could still strain relations between Brussels and Washington in the months ahead.
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