EU committee approves eliminating tariffs on US industrial goods

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — The European Parliament's trade committee has officially approved a highly anticipated plan to eliminate customs duties on imported industrial goods from the United States, navigating through the shadows of recent political and commercial tensions with Washington to reach a consensus.

This critical legislative step paves the way for the implementation of the "Turnberry agreement," a landmark trade consensus reached in July 2025 between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and United States President Donald Trump. The committee's decision holds immense significance for the future of transatlantic economic relations ahead of the final, decisive vote in the European Parliament's General Assembly.

Tensions and the reasons for delay

According to the Associated Press (AP), European lawmakers had demonstrated strong resistance to the approval process for a prolonged period. This reluctance was primarily fueled by the US administration's aggressive imposition of new customs tariffs and unexpected political friction over geopolitical issues, notably the tensions surrounding Greenland. Furthermore, Washington's launch of new trade investigations into European Union products in recent weeks had significantly increased unpredictability and anxiety among European companies operating across the Atlantic.

However, the political climate began to soften following a pivotal ruling by the US Supreme Court in February 2026. The court found certain US tariffs implemented in 2025 to be unlawful, a legal decision that fundamentally reshaped the trade dynamics between the two global powers. Following direct calls from the European Commission to advance the process and intense diplomatic contacts behind closed doors, cautious lawmakers finally withdrew their long-standing objections on Tuesday.

Criticisms of an "unbalanced agreement"

The regulation, which was accepted in the committee with 29 votes, is expected to result in the European Union removing customs duties on the vast majority of industrial products imported from the United States. Despite the successful vote, the trade agreement continues to face fierce criticism from various European political factions and economic analysts who describe the terms as fundamentally "unbalanced."

Under the framework of the Turnberry consensus, the United States will be permitted to continue applying a 15 percent customs duty on various European goods. In stark contrast, the European Union has committed to completely zeroing its tariffs on equivalent American products and significantly boosting its investments in the US market. Economic experts and trade watchdogs point out that this asymmetrical picture was largely shaped under the immense pressure of the White House's stringent protectionist trade policies, forcing Brussels into a defensive negotiating posture.

Final approval and implementation process

While Thursday's committee approval clears a major hurdle and opens the path for the final plenary vote in the European Parliament, officials caution that the completion of the legal arrangements will still take considerable time. Because EU lawmakers must reach a unanimous consensus with all member states regarding the intricate implementation details, the finalization of the process is expected to stretch into April or possibly May.

Furthermore, some amendment proposals introduced in the parliament could complicate the upcoming negotiations. Among the most debated proposals is a "sunset clause" that stipulates the automatic reinstatement of EU tariffs after 18 months if the bilateral agreement is not actively renewed. Additionally, a proposed "sunrise clause" aims to condition the European tax cuts strictly on the United States fulfilling its own reciprocal commitments, ensuring that Washington does not exploit the tariff reductions without providing mutual benefits.

Growing impatience in Washington

The prolonged legislative process and the introduction of conditional clauses in Brussels have been met with growing impatience on the American side. Andrew Puzder, the United States Ambassador to the European Union, emphasized that the diplomatic window is closing and that no more time should be wasted on bureaucratic delays.

Expressing the frustration of the US administration, Ambassador Puzder issued a clear statement urging immediate action from European legislators:

"We understand that the European Union has to follow its own internal processes and deliberate thoroughly, but after six and a half months of waiting, it is now time to get the deal done and finalize this agreement."

Ambassador Puzder noted that if the European Union remains faithful to the core principles of the agreement without adding restrictive conditions, the United States will fully comply with its obligations. He specifically highlighted that strategic sectors, such as the aviation industry, would be protected under this mutual understanding. Puzder concluded by stating that the full realization of the agreement will create unprecedented opportunities for both economic cooperation and shared global security for both the US and the EU.

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