BRUSSELS — European Union lawmakers approved a long-delayed trade agreement with the United States this week, clearing a key legislative hurdle in an effort to stabilize transatlantic trade relations and avert a broader tariff dispute, according to the European Parliament and European Commission.
The European Parliament voted on June 16 to adopt legislation implementing tariff commitments made under an EU-U.S. joint trade agreement reached in 2025 between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump. The legislation passed after months of negotiations and repeated delays linked to concerns over U.S. trade policies and the agreement’s implementation.
Under the approved measures, the European Union will remove tariffs on most U.S. industrial goods and provide preferential access for certain American agricultural and seafood products. The package also extends duty-free treatment for U.S. lobster imports, a provision first introduced under an earlier bilateral arrangement.
European lawmakers added several safeguards during negotiations. These include a sunset clause that would cause the tariff preferences to expire at the end of 2029 unless renewed, as well as mechanisms allowing the European Commission to suspend concessions if Washington fails to meet its commitments or maintains tariffs above agreed levels on some steel and aluminum-related products after 2026.
“With this milestone, we are days away from fulfilling our commitment to remove tariffs on imports of U.S. industrial goods,” von der Leyen said in a statement cited by European institutions. “With full implementation on both sides, our agreement will deliver even more benefits for citizens and businesses.”
Business groups welcomed the vote while noting that significant tariffs remain in place. The German automotive association VDA said the agreement provides greater predictability for manufacturers but warned that existing U.S. duties on vehicles and parts continue to weigh on the sector.
Some lawmakers and trade observers have expressed concerns that future disputes could still emerge, particularly if either side alters tariff policies or introduces new trade measures. Details of any further negotiations remain unclear.
The legislation now awaits final approval by EU member states through the Council of the European Union before entering into force, according to EU institutions.
