

Photo: iStock.com/AlxeyPnferov
The European Union has agreed to move forward with implementation of the trade deal the bloc reached with the United States last summer.
Following five hours of debate between the European parliament and member states, the EU approved a version of the deal that includes several new safeguards. According to CNBC, that includes a provision that allows the EU to suspend the deal in the event that President Donald Trump raises tariffs against European steel and aluminum above 15%, and a sunset clause allowing the bloc to phase out the deal starting in 2028.
"A deal is a deal, and the EU honours its commitments," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post to X. "Together, we can ensure stable, predictable, balanced, and mutually beneficial transatlantic trade."
The EU had previously paused its rollout of the deal twice — first after Trump's threats to take over Greenland in January, and a second time following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision striking down Trump's tariffs in February. In response, the EU worked for months to amend the deal to shield the bloc against any future disruptions from the Trump administration, while building in a series of off-ramps in the event that the U.S. threatens European interests down the line.
With member states and parliament having finalized the terms of the deal, a final vote is now set for mid-June, well ahead of the July 4 deadline set by the U.S. Trump had threatened to increase tariffs on European cars and trucks to 25% if the EU failed to ratify the deal in time.
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