European Parliament ratifies Trump trade deal, locking in 15% tariff ceiling for EU exports ahead of July 4 deadline
The European Parliament approved the transatlantic trade agreement on Tuesday with 440 votes in favour, clearing the last political hurdle before the July 4 ultimatum set by President Donald Trump, who had threatened to impose additional levies on European vehicles if ratification stalled.
The vote
The European Parliament endorsed the EU-US trade pact on 16 June 2026 in Strasbourg, with 440 members voting in favour, 151 against and 50 abstaining. The agreement, reached in July 2025 at Trump's Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, caps US tariffs on most European exports at 15% while eliminating EU duties on American industrial goods and some non-sensitive agricultural products, including soybeans, nuts and lobster. The deal now requires only formal ratification by the EU Council, expected on 25 June, which is widely seen as a formality.
A deal is a deal and the EU is delivering on its side. With this milestone, we are days away from fulfilling our commitment to remove tariffs on imports of US industrial goods.
Safeguards and expiry
MEPs secured several protective clauses during months of negotiation. The agreement includes an automatic expiration at the end of 2029, roughly one month before Trump's term concludes, though the Commission may propose an extension after a full review. The EU can suspend the pact if Washington fails to lower its separate 50% tariff on steel and aluminium derivatives to the 15% ceiling by 31 December 2026, or if the US imposes any new tariffs. A safeguard mechanism also allows Brussels to halt preferences if a surge of American imports causes serious injury to European industry.
Under considerable pressure, we have established important guidelines to keep European interests on the right track.
The road to ratification
The deal was announced nearly a year ago but stalled after Trump's threats against Greenland and the US Supreme Court's invalidation of several tariffs created uncertainty in Brussels. Trump subsequently set a 4 July deadline, warning of a 25% tariff on European cars if the bloc failed to finalise the pact. The European Parliament's approval, together with the Council's forthcoming endorsement, puts the EU on track to meet that date.
- Trump and von der Leyen announce the Turnberry tariff agreement
- Trump threatens 25% tariff on European cars if ratification stalls; deadline later pushed to July 4
- EU member states grant provisional approval to the compromise text
- European Parliament ratifies the deal with 440 votes in favour
- Expected formal adoption by the EU Council
- Trump's deadline; pact enters into force after publication in the EU Official Journal
Reactions and criticism
The centre-right European People's Party backed the agreement to preserve the world's largest trade relationship, but left-wing and some far-right members opposed it. French MEP Emma Fourreau called the pact "a true humiliation for the European Union," arguing it bends to Washington's demands. Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič stressed that transatlantic commerce supports millions of jobs and serves as a bridge to deeper strategic cooperation. Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the vote delivered "certainty, clarity and predictability for businesses, workers, consumers and investors on both sides of the Atlantic."
Immediate context
Hours before the vote, Trump renewed pressure by threatening 100% tariffs on French wine and champagne unless Paris rescinded its digital services tax on large American tech firms. The new safeguards may soon be tested as the EU seeks to enforce the steel and aluminium tariff reductions while keeping its own defensive tools intact.
