The European Parliament has adopted its position on the tariff aspects of the EU-US Turnberry trade deal. This includes a proposal for a “sunrise clause” that would make EU preferential tariffs on US goods effective only if the US lowers its tariffs to a maximum of 15% on EU-origin products with a steel content of below 50%, Kallanish notes.
For EU products with a steel content of above 50%, unless the US reduces its tariffs to a maximum of 15%, EU tariff preferences for US exports of steel and their derivative products would cease to apply six months after the entry into application of the regulation.
The deal, if agreed with EU member states, would eliminate most tariffs on US industrial goods and provide preferential market access for a wide range of US seafood and agricultural goods, in line with the commitments made in summer 2025 between the EU and the US.
MEPs strengthened the proposed suspension clause, which would allow the EU to suspend preferential tariffs under certain conditions, such as if the US were to impose additional tariffs exceeding the agreed 15% ceiling.
Members also agreed on an expiry date for the main regulation on 31 March 2028. This could only be extended via a new legislative proposal.
MEPs will now start negotiations with EU governments on the final shape of the legislation. The so-called “Trilogue” negotiations are set to begin on 13 April, European Parliament INTA Committee chair Bernd Lange said on Friday.
The progress of the trade deal will depend on how the US acts. “For me, it is clear the ball is now in the field of the United States,” he added. The first step of the US should be to reduce tariffs on the so-called steel “derivatives” back to 15%, he concluded.
