Tensions between the EU (European Union) and the United States have reached a new high.
Consequently, lawmakers in Brussels are preparing to pause the EU’s trade deal after Washington imposed a 15% tariff on European goods.
EU Pauses Trade Deal
As a result, exporters are anxious, and politicians insist they cannot approve the agreement without clear explanations from the US.
The trade deal originated last summer when then-US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reached an agreement.
It aimed to reduce tariffs on American industrial goods entering Europe, while keeping a 50% levy on steel and aluminium.
European officials reluctantly accepted the deal because they wanted to avoid a wider trade war and preserve US support on security issues, particularly regarding Ukraine.
Tariff Spike Disrupts Plans
However, the latest tariffs, first announced at 10% and later raised to 15%, have disrupted the EU’s ratification plans.
Therefore, political groups across the European Parliament, from the European People’s Party to the Socialists & Democrats and the liberal Renew faction, agreed to pause approval until Washington provides more details.
The People’s Party lead negotiator, Zeljana Zovko, emphasised: “We have no other option” but to wait for clarification.
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Meanwhile, chairman of the Parliament’s trade committee, Bernd Lange, called an emergency meeting to reassess the agreement.
At the same time, EU ambassadors will review the broader trade relationship with the United States.
Lawmakers warned that repeated US policy shifts, including threats over Greenland and expanded metals tariffs, create uncertainty for European exporters.
Lawmakers Seek Clarity
The pause follows a US Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump’s use of emergency powers to enforce reciprocal tariffs.
Last Friday, Trump announced he would replace the invalidated tariffs with a 10% levy on all imports.
Consequently, lawmakers are seeking precise details on the revised framework before committing to the deal.
