The European Union has postponed approval of its trade agreement with the United States after uncertainty over Washington’s tariff policy. EU lawmakers delayed a planned vote in the European Parliament’s trade committee after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a blanket 15% duty following a Supreme Court decision that struck down many of his earlier worldwide tariffs.
Brussels made clear it will not proceed until it receives a precise explanation from the U.S. European Commission spokesman Olof Gill told reporters the Commission is awaiting clarification from its American counterparts before taking further steps.
Background of the deal
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck a legally binding agreement with President Trump in July that capped U.S. tariffs on most European imports at 15% while securing commitments from the EU to remove many import duties on American industrial goods. That pact still needs formal approval from the European Parliament and EU governments to take effect.
The newly announced 15% duties are due to start on Tuesday and can remain for up to 150 days unless extended by Congress. Bernd Lange, chair of the Parliament’s trade committee, warned the move could still result in higher levies on particular products despite the cap agreed in July and said lawmakers want confirmation that the United States will honor the deal. Lawmakers plan to reconvene on March 4 to decide whether Washington’s explanations are sufficient.
Previous pause and Germany’s response
This is not the first interruption to the ratification process: approval was paused last month after Trump threatened extra tariffs on European allies amid a dispute over Greenland. Germany’s government said it is coordinating with EU partners. Spokesman Stefan Kornelius said Berlin is seeking clarity on U.S. intentions, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington to present a coordinated European position.
Merz called for a quick end to the uncertainty, saying a stable transatlantic framework is vital for industry on both sides. He also reiterated that the EU’s so‑called “trade bazooka”—a tool to restrict access to the bloc’s market—remains a last-resort option in a trade dispute, but expressed confidence a solution can be found without resorting to it.