Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Uncertainty
European Parliament negotiators have put the EU-US trade agreement on hold after the US Supreme Court ruled that some 2025 tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump were illegal. The court found that Trump exceeded his authority by acting without Congressional approval under a law meant for national emergencies. In response, Trump announced new 15% duties on imports, further destabilizing the pact.
Lawmakers Demand Clarity from Washington
German MEP Bernd Lange, chair of the parliamentary trade committee, said the legal landscape had “totally changed” and emphasized that the EU needs a firm commitment from the US before moving forward. The deal, negotiated in July 2025 by Ursula von der Leyen and Trump, had already faced criticism for being heavily skewed in favor of the US—locking in 15% tariffs on EU exports while giving American goods duty-free access to Europe.
Diplomatic Talks Attempt to Salvage Agreement
EU Trade Chief Maroš Šefčovič held emergency discussions with US Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer over the weekend, and also consulted G7 counterparts. Šefčovič stressed that clarity on how the 15% tariff would be applied is critical, noting that “a deal is a deal and we have to respect it.” He expressed hope that Parliament could still vote on the agreement during its March plenary session, though uncertainty persists as Washington continues an assertive trade agenda aimed at boosting domestic industry and Treasury revenue.
