MEPs Largely Support New EU-US Trade Agreement

MEPs have backed the EU-US trade deal, saying it is a “pragmatic and necessary agreement that gives European businesses the certainty they need in uncertain times.”

Meeting in Strasbourg, member of the European Parliament voted in favour of the two regulations implementing the EU-US Turnberry tariff arrangement.

The main proposal, adopted by 440 votes to 151 with 50 abstentions, eliminates tariffs on all US industrial goods and provides preferential market access for a wide range of US seafood and agricultural goods.

The framework includes tariff liberalisation on industrial goods, preferential access for selected products, a US commitment to cap tariffs on most EU exports at 15%, and safeguards.

The outcome was welcomed by German Socialist member Bernd Lange, chair of the International Trade Committee Chair and standing rapporteur for the US.

The MEP said: “Despite the pressure, Parliament stood its ground throughout these negotiations. Our determination has paid off, delivering a stronger agreement for European businesses and citizens and far more robust guardrails than originally envisaged.”

“By translating the EU’s commitments in the joint statement into law, this regulation becomes part of the EU’s defensive toolbox: it not only strengthens and stabilises EU-US trade relations, but it also gives the EU the ability to respond if the United States fails to uphold its side of the bargain.”

The MEP went on. “Thanks to Parliament’s firm stance, the final text now contains a far stronger safety net, including a robust suspension clause, a sunset clause, a safeguard clause, enhanced review mechanisms and stronger democratic oversight.”

“Having the right tools are only half of the job. Political will is also needed. We will continue to closely watch the implementation of this agreement. If the US side breaches either the letter or the spirit of the Turnberry agreement, Parliament will insist that the Commission makes full and timely use of every instrument provided by this regulation and the wider EU toolkit. A stable and prosperous transatlantic partnership can only succeed if both sides remain committed to it,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the ECR group “strongly backed” the EU-US trade deal and “confirms that the European Union must defend its interests, but it must not drift into a trade confrontation with its most important strategic and economic partner.”

“In uncertain times, it is wise for the EU to opt for a workable compromise that prioritizes stability, predictability, and legal certainty; escalating confrontations further is in no one’s interest,” said, ECR Shadow Rapporteur Van Dijck.

“This agreement is not the end. We must continue to focus on dialogue. Only then is this agreement a step forward,” he continued.

Van Dijck added: “Trade with our most important strategic and economic partner is important. But trade must never be equated with naivety, and this agreement must therefore be judged on one question: does it strengthen our businesses, our workers, and the competitiveness of the EU, or does it put our open strategic autonomy under pressure?”For the ECR Group, Parliament’s vote confirms that the European Union must defend its interests, but it must not drift into a trade confrontation with its most important strategic and economic partner.

“In uncertain times, it is wise for the EU to opt for a workable compromise that prioritizes stability, predictability, and legal certainty; escalating confrontations further is in no one’s interest,” ECR Shadow Rapporteur Van Dijck said.

“This agreement is not the end. We must continue to focus on dialogue. Only then is this agreement a step forward,” he continued.