Euro MPs have approved the removal of import duties on most American imports within the EU, with multiple safeguards. The outcome of the vote was uncertain, but on Thursday, the European Parliament gave its conditional green light to implement the trade agreement concluded last summer between the European Union and the United States. Euro MPs endorsed the elimination of tariffs on most American imports within the EU, as committed by the European Commission in the agreement, but with several safeguards.
The European Union has been pursuing a series of free trade agreements to reduce its dependence on China while trying to maintain the compromise on tariffs negotiated last year with Donald Trump. Euro MPs approved, by a large majority (417 votes in favor, 150 against), the removal of tariffs applied in the EU on most American imports, as committed by the European Commission, in exchange for capping Trump’s tariffs on European products at 15%.
However, they attached various safeguards to this approval, conditional clauses, and even an extinction clause (set for March 2028) to denounce the imbalance of the agreement and show extreme distrust towards the American president, who uses tariffs as a diplomatic weapon. Belgian MEP Katleen Van Brempt highlighted, “We will not be intimidated, we will not be forced to accept a bad deal, and today, we show citizens that this European Parliament defends their interests.”
On the right, Croatian MEP Zeljana Zovko emphasized that “16 million jobs depend on transatlantic trade,” calling to “strengthen” it through this vote. Negotiated painstakingly by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, this agreement was seen in Europe as a surrender to the American president.
Its examination by the Parliament was delayed due to the threats of the US annexing Greenland, and then the decision by the US Supreme Court, causing significant legal uncertainty by invalidating Trump’s tariffs. For these conditions to apply, they must be validated by the member states in anticipated negotiations.
European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic praised this as a “crucial step” for Europe and the US, while the US Ambassador to the EU hailed it as “a good decision for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.” As Europeans try to navigate their relations with the US and reduce dependency, they are also diversifying efforts economically. Recent free trade agreements between the EU and partners they have been negotiating with for years indicate a shift towards diversification, impacted by Trump’s policies.
Economist André Sapir notes that Trump’s disruptions have accelerated a move towards new alliances as a defensive strategy. He sees these agreements as strategic tools in the international order. The realization of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s call for middle powers to unite against dominant hegemonic powers in the international order.
