European Parliament halts trade agreement citing imbalance favoring the US under Trump
In response to continuous tariff threats and US President Donald Trump’s insistence on acquiring Greenland, the European Parliament has announced the suspension of work on the trade agreement between the European Union and the United States.
Members of the European Parliament criticized the deal as heavily skewed, offering significant benefits to the US while imposing losses on EU nations. The agreement would have required EU countries to reduce tariffs on most imports, whereas the US would maintain its 15% tax rate.
Previously, some EU lawmakers had conditionally supported the agreement, proposing protective measures for potential increases in US imports and an 18-month sunset clause. However, the recent threats of new US tariffs prompted the EU trade committee to postpone voting originally scheduled for January 26–27.
Brando Lange, an EU official, noted that the suspension ensures no agreement proceeds under the pressure of threats. The delay may provoke US retaliation through increased tariffs on EU imports. The Trump administration clarified that reductions on items like wine or steel would only occur once the agreement is fully ratified.
