EU Parliament Approves US Trade Agreement with Conditions

Thu Mar 26 2026 20:46:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The European Parliament has voted in favor of an EU-US trade deal but with strict protections for EU interests, reflecting ongoing tensions over tariffs.

The European Parliament has passed a trade agreement with the United States, approving legislation that sets tariffs for EU goods at 15%, a significant reduction from the previously threatened 30%. The deal, established amidst months of uncertainty and US tariff threats, includes conditions to ensure the US complies with the agreement. The measures passed with a vote of 417 to 154 and await approval from all EU member states before coming into effect. Notably, additional safeguards were introduced to protect EU interests.

EU Parliament Approves US Trade Agreement with Conditions

The European Parliament has backed legislation to implement an EU-US trade deal, following months of uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariff threats. A majority of lawmakers voted in favor of the measures on Thursday, but added a series of safeguards to ensure the US honors its side of the deal struck last July.

The legislation would set tariffs at 15% for most EU goods - down from the 30% initially threatened - in exchange for European investment in the US and the removal of EU import duties on US industrial goods.

The vote comes after months of delay following Trump's threats to annex Greenland and a US Supreme Court ruling that found some of his tariffs unlawful. The EU assembly voted by 417 to 154, with 71 abstentions, in favor of the legislation, which still needs to be signed off by all of the bloc's 27 member states before it is implemented.

In addition, the MEPs moved to strengthen safeguards, including a provision to suspend the agreement if the US imposes additional tariffs above 15% or introduces new duties on EU goods. Another would halt the deal if the US threatened the EU's territorial sovereignty.

The legislation includes a sunrise clause stipulating that EU tariff reductions will only take effect if the US upholds its side of the agreement, notably lowering tariffs on EU products that contain less than 50% steel and aluminum.

The framework agreement was made during a meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump at his Turnberry golf course in Scotland last July. This trade agreement, viewed as an important step in rebuilding transatlantic relations, reflects the complexities of international trade amid changing political landscapes.