The European Parliament has ratified a sweeping trade agreement with the United States, clearing one of the final legislative hurdles just weeks before a July 4 deadline set by President Donald Trump. The vote wasn’t even close: 440 in favor, 151 against, with 50 abstentions.
The deal, first announced nearly a year ago, represents the most significant recalibration of trans-Atlantic trade policy in years. It was negotiated under what you might charitably call “duress,” with Trump threatening to slap 25% tariffs on European autos if the EU didn’t get its act together by Independence Day.
What’s actually in the deal
On the EU side, the bloc has committed to eliminating tariffs on a majority of US industrial goods. That includes machinery, car parts, and select agricultural products like lobster.
In return, the United States has agreed to cap tariffs on many EU exports at 15%. That ceiling comes with some noted flexibility, meaning Washington retains room to adjust rates in certain categories.
