European Parliament Approves Zero Tariffs on U.S. Industrial Goods and Lobster
Lawmakers voted to remove duties on American machinery, car parts and lobster while keeping most European exports to the U.S. at around 15 percent. Member states must still approve the agreement.
rte.ieThe European Parliament approved a major part of the trade deal settled with the United States last summer at President Trump’s golf course in Turnberry, Scotland. European Union lawmakers agreed to cut tariffs to zero on American industrial goods, including machinery and car parts, and on lobster. The measure will also reduce levies on some American agricultural products.
In exchange, tariffs on many European goods exported to the United States should remain taxed around 15 percent, but sometimes more. The decision ran up against the clock. President Trump, frustrated with Europe’s slow progress, had threatened “much higher” tariffs on European products if the deal wasn’t finalized by July 4.
“With this milestone, we are days away from fulfilling our commitment to remove tariffs on imports of US industrial goods,” Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, posted on social media after the vote. European Union member states still need to rubber-stamp the agreement before it is officially complete.
Earlier votes on the deal were postponed, first over President Trump’s threats to annex Greenland, and later after the Supreme Court ruled that many of President Trump’s tariffs were illegal.
Even once progress resumed, bumps continued. In an interview with The New York Post published on Monday, President Trump threatened 100 percent tariffs on French wine and Champagne over digital taxes. Parts of the deal can be suspended if the United States does not hold up its end of the bargain.
Other parts will sunset after 2029 if they are not renewed. The news came as European Union and national leaders gathered in Évian-les-Bains, France, alongside President Trump for a Group of 7 meeting.
