STORY
The European Parliament has approved legislation implementing the European Union’s trade commitments under its agreement with the United States. The vote gives parliamentary backing to tariff changes intended to avoid a further escalation in transatlantic trade tensions.
The package removes or reduces EU duties on a number of US goods, including industrial products and some agricultural and seafood imports. The arrangement follows earlier commitments made by the European Commission in negotiations with Washington, with the US applying a 15% tariff on most EU exports under the wider agreement.
The legislation includes safeguard provisions allowing the EU to suspend concessions if the US does not comply with the agreed terms. The deal still requires approval from EU member states before the measures can be fully implemented.