European Parliament Backs EU–US Trade Mandate With Tough Safeguards

Overview

• MEPs approved the mandate Thursday in a 417–154 vote to advance implementation of the July 2025 pact.
• The plan would scrap most duties on industrial goods and open EU quotas for non‑sensitive U.S. farm and fish products, while keeping the lobster tariff exemption.
• The mandate requires full U.S. compliance before any cuts take effect, allows reversible suspension if new tariff threats appear or benefits fall short, and sets an expiry on March 31, 2028.
• One clause caps U.S. tariffs at 15% on EU goods with under 50% steel or aluminum and lets the EU halt preferences if Washington fails to match that within six months or if a 10% import surge threatens EU industry.
• Parliament negotiators now draft the final legal text with EU governments for a possible April–May approval, and the proposal estimates a €172.5 million budget hit linked to farm tariff relief.