EU-US trade agreement

The EU Parliament has finally voted in favor of the customs and trade agreement between the European Union and the United States. The aim of the agreement is to facilitate trade relations between the two economic areas and avoid a possible trade conflict. The agreed text stipulates that most tariffs on industrial and agricultural products from the USA will be eliminated. Many seafood and agricultural products imported from the United States receive preferential market access. At the same time, at the insistence of the EU Parliament, several protective mechanisms were added. The agreement contains a so-called “sunset clause”, according to which the tariff concessions will automatically expire at the end of 2029 unless they are extended. In addition, safeguards for European industrial and agricultural sectors as well as stricter regulations on the possible suspension of tariff benefits were agreed. Special conditions also apply to steel and aluminum products. The background to the agreement is an agreement between EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump in the summer of 2025 ("Turnberry Agreement"). The European Commission argues that the agreement creates more planning security for companies and prevents further escalation of trade disputes. Critics, however, complain that the agreement provides the USA with greater advantages than the EU and was negotiated without a comprehensive impact assessment. It also notes that despite the agreement, the US has continued to announce new tariffs on certain products. Attention: The voting results shown on the right only reflect the voting behavior of the German MEPs and not that of all 705 MEPs. The new regulations were approved overall with 440 votes in favour, 151 against and 50 abstentions. Of the German MEPs, 61 voted for and 13 against. There were 12 abstentions. In order for the regulations to finally come into force, the Council of the European Union must now formally adopt the agreed text.

Vote breakdown