European Parliament to Approve EU-US Tariff Agreement Ahead of Trump's July 4 Deadline

(Central News Agency, Strasbourg, 15th – comprehensive international report) The European Parliament is scheduled to hold a final vote tomorrow on the EU-US tariff agreement, with the entire process expected to be completed before the July 4 deadline set by President Trump. The European Parliament has also included a series of safeguard clauses in the agreement, including its validity period and suspension mechanisms.

According to AFP, the European Parliament will hold a final vote tomorrow on the EU-US tariff agreement, aiming to stabilize the turbulent transatlantic trade relationship. The EU and the US agreed last July that the US would impose a 15% tariff on most EU goods, while the EU would apply zero tariffs on US goods.

However, Trump's threats against Greenland and the US Supreme Court's rulings declaring several tariffs unconstitutional have delayed the progress of the EU-US tariff agreement. The EU's failure to fulfill its commitments has angered US President Trump.

EU member states have already endorsed this new agreement, and the European Parliament's approval is the final step before it takes effect. This move allows the EU to meet Trump's July 4 deadline and avoid new US tariffs on European cars.

All political groups in the European Parliament, including the European People's Party (EPP), the largest party to which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen belongs, have indicated their support for the new agreement.

Only a few formal procedures remain before the agreement officially takes effect. It will enter into force after EU member states agree in the coming days or weeks and the EU publishes it in the Official Journal.

However, the European Parliament has added a series of safeguard clauses to the agreement text, including a validity period ending at the end of 2029, after which it will automatically expire if not renewed.

Another 'safety' measure authorizes the European Commission to suspend the agreement if the US fails to fulfill its commitments or disrupts trade and investment.

Bernd Lange, chair of the trade committee, stated, 'The European Parliament has made it clear: we will not accept any agreement with the US that fails to defend European interests.'

Brando Benifei, a Social Democrat European Parliament member, said the European Parliament has strengthened the agreement, giving more power to the EU's executive body, and that the EU must now 'stop being weak' and 'show strength' in its relations with the US.

After Trump returned to the White House last year, he swiftly launched a tariff offensive, imposing taxes on steel, aluminum, and the automotive industry.

To reduce tariffs, von der Leyen worked quickly to reach an agreement with Trump, hoping to ease tensions between the EU and its largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $2 trillion (approximately NT$61 trillion).

The European People's Party hopes the agreement will be finalized quickly, allowing businesses to move past last year's uncertainty and gain stable expectations. The right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group also expressed support.

However, not everyone is optimistic. Green, left-wing, and some centrist European Parliament members criticize the EU for failing to adequately defend its own interests in trade. (Compiled by: Qu Xiangping) 1150616