“Any country that wants to 'play' with the absurd decision of the Supreme Court, especially those that have been 'robbing' the United States for years or even decades, will face much higher tariffs than those it recently agreed to. BUYERS BEWARE!!! Thank you for your attention on this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” the American leader wrote on Truth Social on Monday.
— The decision to postpone the vote on the implementation of the agreement with the US is right. Given the current great uncertainty, a vote would be unjustified – comments Anna Cavazzini, representative of the Green Party.
The second MEP, Zeljana Zovko from the center-right European People's Party, confirms the validity of the delay (voting on the ratification of the trade agreement), but nevertheless calls on the European Parliament to hold a final vote on the Turnberry agreement next month.
— We must act as a European team and speak with one voice. I agreed to the postponement, but not unconditionally and not forever. We have to hold a vote in March and we have to respect our part of the deal, he emphasizes in an interview with POLITICO.
Trump's latest tariffs, enacted under Section 122 of the 1974 US Trade Act and scheduled to go into effect on Tuesday, appear to “add” to any existing rates.
In Brussels' view, this would constitute a direct breach of the Turnberry agreement and the subsequent joint statement confirming the agreement, which the EU says established a “comprehensive” tariff rate of no more than 15%. for most goods.
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It's not “business as usual”
The European Parliament's International Trade Committee was due to vote on Tuesday on a bill enabling a deal with specific safeguards, after reaching a difficult compromise earlier this month.
One safeguard included a six-month review of the agreement to ensure that tariffs on steel-containing products were reduced to baseline levels. The second was to invalidate the agreement if Trump again threatened the EU's territorial integrity, as he did in January when he pushed for the annexation of Greenland.
Cavazzini, a German MEP, says: “The top priority must be to find a solution to the remaining 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum and related products. The ball is now in the United States' court. The tariffs are hugely unpopular and have not created the manufacturing jobs Trump promised.
Croatian MEP Zovko, whose party supports the Turnberry deal, says MEPs should still hold a plenary vote to implement it next month. “If we stick to the agreement, we can at least demand something from the Americans,” he says.
Confirming the delay, Bernd Lange, chairman of the trade committee, said: “Continuing with current policy is not an option.” The German Social Democrat added in a statement that senior trade lawmakers, known as shadow rapporteurs, will meet again next week to reassess the situation.
Only after Parliament adopts its position will it be possible to hold talks with other EU bodies – the Commission and the Council representing the 27 Member States – with a view to finally implementing the EU part of the agreement. This would mean, first of all, the abolition of tariffs on American industrial goods.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic was to inform ambassadors of EU member states on Monday and EU lawmakers on Tuesday, as announced earlier by Olof Gill, deputy commission spokesman. On Saturday, Sefcovic spoke with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The EU executive, which negotiates trade deals on behalf of the 27 member states, expressed concern about Trump's latest decision on tariffs.
“The current situation is not conducive to achieving 'fair, sustainable and mutually beneficial' transatlantic trade and investment,” they said on Sunday, asking the Trump administration to fully explain the steps it plans to take after the Supreme Court's ruling.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
