EU Parliament Backs US Trade Deal Despite Unfair Terms

The agreement eliminates duties on American industrial goods in exchange for a 15-percent tariff ceiling on European exports. Bernd Lange, who chaired the parliamentary negotiating team, characterized the vote as a necessary safety net while admitting the pact was forged under extreme pressure. The deal follows President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to hit EU automotive and industrial sectors with 25-percent levies, a strategy that ultimately forced the European Commission to negotiate at the president's Turnberry golf club.

Industry groups have largely welcomed the move, citing the urgent need for market predictability amid rising living costs. However, the legislation includes a sunset clause set for July 2029 to ensure the arrangement does not become permanent. Furthermore, the EU retains the right to trigger retaliatory tariffs if Washington violates the terms or raises duties on steel and aluminium derivatives beyond the agreed 15-percent threshold. Lange emphasized that this is a temporary stopgap, noting that the political landscape in both Washington and Brussels will shift significantly by the time the deal expires in 2029.