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European Parliament Approves Asymmetric Trade Pact With United States

The pact pairs EU tariff removal with a US 15% tariff cap, contains a 2029 sunset clause, and gives the European Commission power to suspend the deal.

La présidente de la Commission européenne Ursula von der Leyen prononce un discours lors d'une séance plénière au Parlement européen à Strasbourg, en France, le 20 mai 2026
Le président américain Donald Trump serre la main de la présidente de la Commission européenne Ursula von der Leyen après la conclusion d'un accord commercial à l'issue de leur rencontre, à Turnberry, en l'Écosse, le 27 juillet 2025

Overview

  • The European Parliament voted to approve the deal in Strasbourg on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, by 440 votes to 151 with 50 abstentions.
  • Under the agreement the EU will remove duties on most US industrial and agricultural imports while the United States capped many of its tariffs at 15%.
  • Parliament secured two main safeguards: an automatic expiry of the pact at the end of 2029 and a Commission power to suspend the agreement if Washington keeps 50% surcharges on steel and aluminium.
  • Final ratification still requires formal approval by all 27 EU member states, and the pact remains politically fragile because some MEPs say it concedes too much after public tariff threats from President Donald Trump.
  • The deal traces to the Turnberry talks in summer 2025 and a May 2026 compromise that won provisional support from member states; supporters say it will bring trade stability and protect jobs while critics warn it reduces EU leverage and risks future US pressure such as threats to tax French wines.