TL:DR – European Parliament Approves EU-US Trade Deal Agreement on Tuesday
• On 11 February 2026, European Parliament political groups reached an agreement on the EU-US trade deal struck in July 2025.
• The deal sets US tariffs at 15% on EU exports and zero on US goods, pending ratification.
• The approval process was frozen in January due to Trump’s tariff threats on eight European nations.
• A formal vote by the International Partnership Committee is scheduled for 24 February 2026.
• The trade deal includes mechanisms for tariff relief and suspensions based on compliance.
European Parliament’s political groups agree EU-US trade deal
Political groups in the European Parliament reached an agreement on Tuesday regarding the EU-US trade deal, which was struck in July 2025 by US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This agreement, which still requires ratification, establishes US tariffs at 15% on EU exports while the EU commits to eliminating its tariffs on US goods. The approval process has recently faced controversy due to Trump’s threats concerning Greenland.
The significance of this agreement lies in its potential impact on transatlantic trade relations and its necessary legislative steps. The Parliament had previously frozen the approval process in January after Trump stated on social media that he would impose a 10% tariff from February on eight European countries involved in a military mission in the Arctic.
Final Vote Planned by the International Partnership Committee
Following the resumption of negotiations, representatives from the Parliament’s political groups have finalised the necessary legislative details for the deal. The International Partnership Committee is scheduled to formally vote on the compromise on February 24, with a plenary session vote anticipated in March.
Key components of the agreement include a “sunset clause” that allows EU tariff relief to expire by March 2028 unless renewed, and a “suspension clause” that would come into effect if the US violates the deal’s stipulations. According to Socialist Member of the European Parliament Bernd Lange, lead negotiator on the file, the negotiations added a clear criterion for the territorial sovereignty of the European Union related to potential suspensions.
Additional Provisions in the Trade Agreement
The Parliament’s version of the trade deal also incorporates a safeguard mechanism to mitigate the impact of reduced tariffs on US goods within the EU market. Additionally, it includes a provision for the automatic reintroduction of tariffs if the US fails to lower its tariffs to 15% for over 400 steel-related products, as agreed last July but not yet implemented.
Once the final vote occurs in the plenary session, the Parliament will enter negotiations with EU member states regarding the terms of the agreement, which may lead to modifications of certain conditions.
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