Trump’s threats were met – the trade agreement became “Trump-resistant”

On Thursday, the European Parliament approved its position on two legislative proposals that enable the continuation of trade negotiations between the EU and the United States. The proposals would eliminate most tariffs on US industrial and agricultural products.

The first act was approved with 417 votes in favor, 154 against and 71 abstentions. It concerned the adjustment of customs duties and the opening of tariff quotas. Another act concerned the non-application of customs duties on certain products and was approved by a vote of 437 in favor, 144 against, and 60 abstentions.

The Parliament added several safeguards to the Commission’s original proposal.

For example, the US must not use tariffs as a foreign policy blackmail weapon, and if it did so, then the EU could stop promoting the agreement.

In addition, the United States will only be able to use the tariff preferences after it has fulfilled its agreed obligations.

The lowering of steel and aluminum tariffs is also a condition, i.e. before the regulations could enter into force, the United States must reduce tariffs from 50 percent to 15 percent on EU products that contain less than 50 percent steel or aluminum.

The United States is also not allowed to raise tariffs in total above 15 percent.

Shadow rapporteur of the Parliament’s Renew Europe group Karin Charles Bridge made the trade agreement “Trump-proof”.

“We have not forgotten Greenland, threats and blackmail. Europe must be ready to set conditions for transatlantic relations in the future. That is exactly what we are doing with this vote by making Turnberry’s customs Trump-resistant. That means: no higher tariffs, no more customs threats and no more security threats,” commented Karlsbro.

Parliament froze

Parliament was supposed to vote on the tariffs already in January, but the US president Donald Trump’s Threats to Greenland and the associated import duties led to the postponement of the vote.

The second time the vote was delayed was in February, when the US Supreme Court found Trump’s previous customs actions illegal, creating uncertainty over the progress of the deal.

After Thursday’s vote, the parliament is now ready to start negotiations with the Council representing the EU member states on the final form of the laws.

Important for Finland

There has been a slowdown in trade between the EU and the United States in the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.

of Finnish Entrepreneurs of the head of the EU office Mira‑Maria Advisor according to the Parliament’s vote on Thursday was an important sign of the EU’s ability to act as a reliable trading partner and stick to the agreements made.

“It is important that the trade relationship does not deteriorate or remain in a permanent state of uncertainty,” Danisman says.

“This is an important decision for Finland and domestic SMEs as well. The United States is a key export market for Finnish companies, so the progress of the agreement has direct economic significance for Finland,” continues Danisman.

The EU-US trade agreement has been criticized as unbalanced, as the US has access to the EU market with low or no tariffs, while EU exports to the US face tariffs of around 15 percent.

However, according to Danisman, the overall picture is broader, as European companies also benefit from cheaper import inputs and components.

“For companies, stable, even higher, customs levels are often more manageable than a situation where customs levels are constantly uncertain,” says Danisman.