The European Parliament has decided to keep the EU’s trade agreement with the United States on hold, following Washington’s threat to suspend trade with Spain and signals that it may raise global tariffs from 10% to 15%. The Turnberry Agreement, concluded in July, limits tariffs on EU exports to the US at 15% in return for reduced duties on certain American industrial and agricultural goods.
A temporary pause in parliamentary scrutiny began last month after the US Supreme Court invalidated President Donald Trump’s broad “reciprocal” tariffs. Trump subsequently imposed a 10% blanket levy under an alternative legal framework, prompting confusion over the deal’s application. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated the US might increase this rate to 15% later this week, leaving EU lawmakers uncertain about the implications for Europe.
German Social Democrat Bernd Lange, chair of the Parliament’s trade committee, stressed the need for clarity on US adherence before proceeding. Swedish liberal MEP Karin Karlsbro described the situation as “tariff bingo,” calling for more certainty prior to a vote. The pause also coincides with heightened tensions between Washington and Madrid, after Trump threatened to “cut off all trade” with Spain following Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s refusal to allow US tanker aircraft to use Spanish bases for strikes on Iran.
The European Commission voiced full support for Spain while urging the US to honour the Turnberry deal. Centre-right MEPs, led by Swedish lawmaker Jörgen Warborn, criticised the delay, arguing that political opposition within the Parliament risks undermining transatlantic trade stability. Efforts to introduce a “sunrise clause” to protect EU exports until US tariffs are lifted were rejected.
via Euractiv
