EU calls on US to respect Turnberry deal amid new tariff probes

The European Union has called on the United States to fully respect the Turnberry agreement from July 2025 in light of Washington's initiation of new customs investigations. Bernd Lange, chairman of the European Parliament's international trade committee, described American attempts at unilaterally modifying this agreement as completely unacceptable. Brussels appeals to the administration in Washington to view the Community as an ally in the fight against global overproduction, not as a source of trade problems. MEPs have decided to halt work on legislative proposals related to the agreement with the US, arguing a lack of clarity regarding the intentions of the transatlantic partner. The Turnberry Agreement, signed in July 2025 in Scotland, established new rules for resolving investment disputes and initiated talks on digital trade and data exchange. This agreement was intended to end long-standing customs disputes between the two sides, which intensified in previous decades, particularly in the steel and aluminum sectors. Previous attempts to stabilize trade relations often ended in deadlock due to differences in approach to industrial subsidies and protection of domestic markets.

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, known as Farnesina, announced a relaxation of some restrictions by the American side in a specific food sector. Washington decided to lower the anti-dumping duties imposed on Italian pasta producers, which constitutes a positive signal in complicated transatlantic relations. Simultaneously, the US customs agency reported that work on a system for tariff refunds is advanced, with its completion estimated to be between 40% and 80%. The European Union emphasizes, however, that such piecemeal concessions cannot replace the systemic adherence to previously negotiated broad trade agreements. „U.S. must honour EU-US deal in tariff investigations” — Bernd Lange via Reuters

Despite escalating diplomatic tensions, the latest economic data from across the ocean indicates a significant change in the balance of payments. The US trade deficit in January 2026 decreased, made possible by American exports reaching a record high level. Brussels uses this data as an argument in the discussion, pointing out that the current trade architecture benefits both sides and does not require restrictive corrections. The European Union maintains that both powers should focus on jointly confronting challenges from Asian markets, rather than conducting internal disputes within the Western economic alliance. 80 (percent) — maximum completion rate of the tariff refund system Evolution of EU-US trade relations: July 2025 — Turnberry Summit; January 2026 — Record US exports; 4 March 2026 — Blockade in the European Parliament; 12 March 2026 — Intervention by Bernd Lange