EU lawmakers delay vote on U.S. trade deal amid tariff turmoil

The European Parliament on Monday (23 February) postponed a vote on the EU’s trade deal with the U.S. after President Donald Trump imposed a blanket 15% import duty.

The move followed a Supreme Court ruling that struck down his previous global tariffs, according to two parliamentary sources.

The EU assembly has been debating legislative proposals to remove many EU import duties on U.S. goods, a key element of the agreement struck in Turnberry, Scotland, at the end of July.

The proposals also seek to maintain zero duties on U.S. lobsters, an arrangement initially agreed with President Trump in 2020.

They require approval from both the European Parliament and EU member states.

Parliament’s trade committee had been due to vote on Tuesday, but the ballot has now been postponed, marking the second such suspension by EU lawmakers.

They previously halted work on the deal in protest at Mr Trump’s demands to acquire Greenland and his threats to impose additional tariffs on European allies that opposed his plan.

• Trump announces start of talks on Greenland
• European Parliament calls to suspend EU-U.S. trade deal citing 'tariff chaos'
• Trump says he will raise global tariff rate from 10% to 15%

Many lawmakers have complained that the trade deal is lopsided, requiring the EU to cut most of its import duties while the U.S. maintains a broad rate of 15%.

However, they had appeared willing to accept it - albeit with conditions - including an 18-month sunset clause and measures to respond to potential surges in U.S. imports.

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