A key committee in the European Parliament has voted strongly in favour of removing tariffs on a wide range of US imports, a move aimed at implementing a previously agreed trade framework with Washington and avoiding a fresh flare up in transatlantic trade tensions
The decision follows a deal reached last year between the European Union and the United States during talks at US President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. Under the agreement, the EU committed to scrapping import duties on American industrial goods and offering easier access for US agricultural and seafood products, while accepting 15% tariffs on most EU exports to the United States.
Despite the agreement being in place for several months, the EU has yet to fully implement its obligations. This delay has drawn criticism from Trump, who has warned that he could introduce significantly higher tariffs if the bloc fails to act before the July 4 deadline.
On Tuesday, the European Parliament’s trade committee backed the proposed legislation by 31 votes to six, with three abstentions. The bill also includes a continuation of zero tariffs on US lobster imports, a measure first introduced under a 2020 arrangement.
Although the legislation still requires approval from the full European Parliament in June, the committee’s decision is widely seen as clearing a major hurdle toward final adoption.
The move comes as both sides seek to stabilise one of the world’s largest trading relationships, which is worth an estimated $2 trillion annually in goods and services, even as trade imbalances and tariff disputes continue to create friction.
However, concerns remain within the EU over the terms of the deal and the political pressure surrounding it. Lawmakers have introduced provisions that would allow the agreement to be suspended if the United States fails to uphold its commitments, and it would automatically expire at the end of 2029 unless renewed through new legislation.
The Trump administration has indicated it will examine whether these added conditions align with the original agreement.
Goodness Anunobi
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