EU-US Trade Deal Stalls over New Tariff Pressures

The European Union is seeking to fast-track an agreement to lift tariffs on US imports, but negotiations have been complicated by fresh pressure from President Donald Trump. He has announced an increase in tariffs on cars and trucks from the EU of up to 25%, citing non-compliance with the terms of an agreement reached in Scotland last year.

A number of EU member states want to prevent escalation and are pushing for swift legislation that would remove tariffs on US manufactured goods and open the European market to US agricultural and seafood products. However, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU have so far been unable to agree on a common text, stalling the process.

Lawmakers are pushing for tougher safeguards, proposing the option to suspend the agreement if the US fails to comply, as well as a time limit on tariff concessions until 2028. Member state governments have not yet backed these conditions, deepening divisions within the bloc.

Tensions have been heightened by the broader threat of US tariffs, which also overshadowed the G7 ministerial meeting in Paris. Germany, which would be among the hardest hit by higher tariffs, is in intensive negotiations with Washington. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is continuing his diplomatic efforts in Brussels.

(reuters, max)