Détente between Washington and Brussels? We are returning to work on the customs agreement

The Trade Committee in the European Parliament will return to work on approving the customs agreement with the United States, said German MEP, Social Democrat Bernd Lange, on Wednesday. The committee may vote on this matter at its meeting on February 24.

This concerns the agreement on customs rates in trade between the EU and the USA, concluded by American President Donald Trump and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in July 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. Due to Trump's claims against Greenland and customs threats against several European countries, the EP Trade Committee (INTA) decided to suspend work on the agreement. On January 22, Trump withdrew his demands.

Lange, who is responsible for the work on the adoption of the agreement in the European Parliament, said that the chamber will return to work provided that the United States respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the EU and its member states. He added that the US must also comply with the terms of the agreement itself.

The agreement concluded in July 2025 provides for the introduction of customs duties of 15%. on European industrial goods imported from the EU to the US, including cars. This means a reduction in the rate compared to the 27.5% tariff announced earlier by the US leader.

For its part, the EU has committed to reducing customs duties on some agricultural products imported from the US to Europe, but the so-called sensitive products such as beef, poultry and sugar. The EU is to introduce a zero tariff on nuts, soy, some fish and seafood and pet food.

Negotiations on the agreement between the US and the EU have been ongoing since March 2025, when the US administration announced the first tariffs on European imports.

From Brussels Magdalena Cedro (PAP)

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