The twenty-seven member states of the European Union have reached a common position on the draft trade agreement negotiated with the United States, requesting that protective mechanisms be included in the final text. The deal, concluded at the end of July, provides for the progressive removal of many EU tariffs on American imports, in exchange for a general 15% levy imposed by Washington on European goods.
The draft, which still requires approval by the European Parliament, has raised concerns among member states over its potential impact on European industrial competitiveness. Governments are asking that the European Commission be empowered to reinstate duties, in whole or in part, if a surge in US imports threatens to damage the European industrial fabric.
Safeguard clauses and market monitoring
The European Commission would be responsible for examining any safeguard request submitted by one or more member states and for implementing the necessary corrective measures. The agreement also includes a provision for regular monitoring of its economic effects, with a full report to be delivered by the end of 2028.
In addition, the deal includes the elimination of duties on US industrial goods and the establishment of duty-free tariff quotas for certain agricultural and seafood products. These measures are designed to boost transatlantic trade while maintaining a balance between the economic interests of both blocs.
European Parliament reservations and legislative timeline
The European Parliament is expected to adopt its position by the end of January. Several members are advocating for an 18-month automatic sunset clause, as well as a rapid-response mechanism should the United States fail to comply with the agreement.
Parliamentarians are also calling on the United States to lift the 50% tariffs imposed in August on 407 so-called “derivative” products, including energy-related equipment such as wind turbines. If not, the European Union would maintain its own tariffs on those specific imports until a solution is reached.
The final version of the legislation will be subject to negotiation between member state representatives and the European Parliament. No implementation date has yet been announced.
