The European Parliament has taken steps to revive the EU-US trade deal after months of gridlock, marking a pivotal shift following intense pressure from Washington and Brussels.
The agreement, struck last summer between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and former U.S. President Donald Trump, imposes 15% tariffs on EU goods while requiring Europe to eliminate its own tariffs. The deal now includes a sunset clause expiring March 2028 unless renewed.
A key compromise allows the EU to suspend the agreement if its territorial integrity is threatened-prompted by Trump’s January demands to take over Greenland, a Danish territory.
Legal uncertainty looms after the U.S. Supreme Court declared initial reciprocal tariffs unconstitutional, invalidating parts of the original pact. Despite new U.S. investigations into EU trade practices, EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič urges swift approval.
Political divisions remain: Socialists and Democrats seek more time for internal debate, while center-right leaders push for a vote before the end of March.