MEPs Push Forward on US Trade Deal

In a significant development on the international trade front, the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee has decided to resume work on the Turnberry legislative proposals concerning the EU-US trade deal. This decision was announced by Bernd Lange, the chair of the committee and standing rapporteur for the US, following a meeting with the committee’s shadow rapporteurs.

The Turnberry Deal, a pivotal agreement reached in July 2025 between the EU and the US, focuses on tariff and trade issues. The legislative proposals aim to implement specific tariff aspects outlined in the subsequent EU-US Framework Agreement announced in August 2025. The committee’s renewed efforts underscore a collective commitment to expedite the legislative process, with a potential vote scheduled for the next committee meeting on February 24.

Key aspects of the proposals include provisions for the suspension of tariff preferences under circumstances that threaten the essential security interests of the Union or its member states. This includes threats to their territorial integrity, emphasizing the EU’s stance on respecting sovereignty in international trade agreements.

The International Trade Committee plays a crucial role in steering these legislative proposals through Parliament and negotiating with EU governments to finalize the customs duties on goods imported from the US. This resumption marks a critical step in advancing the EU’s trade relations and economic interactions with the United States, provided that the latter honors the terms agreed upon in the Turnberry Deal.