The European Union is reopening the door to trade negotiations with the United States after President Donald Trump stepped back from his latest tariff threats. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the move has eased tensions and created room for renewed discussion on a long-delayed transatlantic trade framework.
Earlier, EU lawmakers had paused progress on the agreement following warnings of new U.S. tariffs, which were reportedly connected to Trump’s broader geopolitical pressure tactics. Those concerns led the European Parliament to halt deliberations, fearing economic leverage rather than cooperation. With the tariff issue now temporarily off the table, legislators believe talks can resume under calmer conditions.
The draft trade arrangement centers on lowering EU duties on selected American products. Its basic structure was agreed upon during meetings in Scotland last summer and includes extending tariff-free access for U.S. lobster exports—an arrangement that has been in place since 2020. Any final deal would still need approval from EU institutions and member states.
However, the proposal continues to divide opinion within the European Parliament. Several lawmakers argue the agreement favors Washington, pointing out that while the EU would reduce many of its import taxes, the U.S. would retain a broad tariff level of around 15%. This imbalance has fueled concerns about fairness and long-term economic impact.
Even so, a compromise remains possible. Some legislators have signaled they could support the deal if protective measures are added, such as a sunset clause after 18 months and safeguards against sudden spikes in U.S. imports. The European Parliament’s trade committee is expected to outline its formal stance later this month, which could determine whether negotiations move forward again.
