LUXEMBOURG, June 25 - European Union governments moved on Thursday to put into law the measures that remove import duties on a range of U.S. goods, fulfilling the EU's obligations under the trade arrangement reached with U.S. President Donald Trump last year and aiming to avert renewed friction across the Atlantic.
The step by the Council - the body representing EU governments - follows approval by the European Parliament last week, where the text was supported by 440 votes in favour, opposed by 151 and met with 50 abstentions. That parliamentary vote came almost 11 months after the framework agreement was concluded.
Under the terms of the agreement, the European Union has committed to lift import duties on U.S. industrial products and to provide preferential access for certain U.S. farm produce. The package also carries forward duty-free entry for U.S. lobster, a smaller arrangement that was agreed with President Trump during his first term.
Officials noted that the Council's adoption on Thursday positions the European Union to meet a deadline tied to a U.S. ultimatum. President Trump had warned of "much higher" tariffs unless the EU took action by July 4. Once the legislation is published in the EU official journal it will take effect.
The legal text sets a sunset date at the end of 2029. It contains multiple safeguards that would permit the European Union to suspend the concessions if it determines the United States has breached the terms of the trade arrangement.
Key details:
- The European Parliament approved the legislation by 440 votes to 151, with 50 abstentions.
- The Council adopted the legislation on Thursday, leaving the EU on track to meet the July 4 timeline referenced by the U.S. administration.
- The measures remove duties on U.S. industrial goods, grant preferential access for U.S. farm produce, extend duty-free lobster imports, and expire at the end of 2029 with safeguards for suspension.
This adoption completes the EU-side implementation of the bilateral framework without introducing further modifications to the commitments described in the agreement. The legislative text will become operative following publication in the EU official journal; until then the provisions are not yet in force.
The law's sunset clause and the built-in suspension mechanisms mean the EU retains formal tools to respond should the United States fail to respect the deal's terms. Beyond those explicit provisions, the legislation's adoption is a procedural milestone in the administration of the transatlantic trade arrangement.