The EU reserves the right to restore duties on steel from the USA
Representatives of the European Parliament's political groups have agreed on the terms of the EU-US trade agreement concluded in July 2025, agreeing on the details of legislation. This is reported by Euronews.
The compromise reached by the European Parliament includes an "expiration clause" according to which the benefits of EU customs tariffs will expire at the end of March 2028 unless they are explicitly extended, as well as a "Suspension Clause" that will be activated in the event of a violation by the United States of the rules of the agreement.
The European Parliament's version of the trade agreement will also contain a safeguard mechanism to address the potential impact on the European market from lower tariffs on American goods.
European lawmakers also agreed to a clause obliging the European Commission to review the agreement six months after it enters into force if the United States does not reduce tariffs from 50% to a base level of 15% on EU products containing steel.
The amendments still need to be approved at the plenary session of the European Parliament, and the changes must be agreed upon with the member states during negotiations, so some of the conditions may change.
Recall that on January 21, US President Donald Trump abandoned plans to impose duties on imports from the UK and a number of EU member states due to their position on Greenland. Earlier in the day, the European Parliament officially suspended the ratification process of the trade agreement with the United States in protest against Trump's threats.