European Union countries are pushing for quick implementation of the bloc’s part of a trade deal reached with the United States last year to avoid the threat of higher auto tariffs, EU diplomats shared on Monday.
Representatives of the European Parliament and the Council, the body representing EU governments, will resume negotiations on Wednesday on legislation to reduce EU tariffs on goods imported from the US, with the EU assembly looking to establish several safeguards.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday (1st) that next week, because the EU is not complying with the terms of the agreement reached in Scotland in July.
Nine months later, the EU has still not removed tariffs on industrial products imported from the US, as agreed between the two sides. Legislation for this was suspended twice by the European Parliament following Trump’s threats to impose new tariffs on European allies who did not support his proposal for a new import tax.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose country is likely to be most affected by a rise in car tariffs, told broadcaster ARD that “the Americans have already finalized the deal, and the Europeans have not – which is why he hopes they can reach an agreement as quickly as possible.”
EU members want a quick agreement between Parliament and the Council on implementing the bloc’s part of the agreement, diplomats added.
Manfred Weber, head of the center-right European People’s Party and the largest group in the EU Parliament, also said there must be a quick conclusion to negotiations to allow Parliament to give final approval this month.
Bernd Lange, who chairs Parliament’s trade committee and will lead negotiations for the EU assembly, highlighted that this is unacceptable and that the various safeguards sought are all the more necessary. Lange commented that he will organize a meeting with other parliamentarians on Wednesday (6) to discuss the next steps.
