German MEP Bernd Lange (S&D), the European Parliament’s lead negotiator on the EU-US trade deal, defended on Friday the EU legislative process aimed at implementing the agreement, pushing back against US criticism that Europe is moving too slowly.
The comments came after US President Donald Trump gave the EU until 4 July to cut tariffs on US goods to zero, as agreed under the deal signed last year in Turnberry with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, warning otherwise of new tariffs on European products.
Washington has stepped up pressure on Brussels to fast-track the legislation needed to enforce the agreement. But negotiations between the EU’s co-legislators failed Wednesday night to produce a deal.
“European legislation cannot be dictated by threatening social media posts from Washington,” Lange said in a statement, adding: “Our democratic procedures are not negotiable. Even in stormy weather, we stay firmly on course.”
Last week, Trump had already threatened to impose 25% tariffs on EU cars if the bloc failed to implement its side of the agreement — far above the 15% cap agreed in Turnberry.
