European Union lawmakers voted on Thursday (March 19, 2026) to advance legislation related to the EU-U.S. trade deal struck last year, ending months of delay after U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of further tariffs and his new import levy.
The trade committee of the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly— by 29 to nine and one abstention— in favour of the legislation, although with multiple added safeguards, reflecting concerns that the Trump administration will not stick to its side of the deal.
EU lawmakers stall U.S. trade deal in protest over Greenland
The Parliament has been debating proposals to remove EU import duties on U.S. industrial goods and improve access for U.S. agricultural produce, a key part of the deal struck in Scotland last July, as well as to continue zero duties for U.S. lobsters, initially agreed with Mr. Trump in 2020.
The proposals require approval by the Parliament and EU governments. Many lawmakers have complained the trade deal is one-sided, with the EU required to cut most import duties while the U.S. sticks to a broad rate of 15%. However, they had previously appeared willing to accept it, albeit with conditions, such as a sunset clause and measures to respond to possible surges in U.S. imports.
