Key facts
- EU lawmakers on the International Trade Committee approved a compromise on the U.S.-EU trade agreement.
- The compromise includes safeguards regarding steel and aluminum tariffs.
- The vote count was 31-6 in favor of the compromise.
- A full parliamentary vote is scheduled for June 16.
- EU trade committee head Bernd Lange stated new U.S. tariffs on EU goods would be unacceptable.
The International Trade Committee of the European Parliament has advanced a compromise related to the U.S.-EU trade agreement. Lawmakers voted 31-6 in favor of the text, which specifically addresses safeguards for steel and aluminum tariffs. This approval is a step towards a final vote by the full parliament scheduled for June 16. The inclusion of these safeguards is crucial for addressing ongoing trade disputes between the U.S. and the EU. Bernd Lange, chair of the committee, called U.S. claims about the EU not curbing trade in forced labor goods 'utterly absurd' and stated that any new U.S. tariffs on EU goods beyond existing rates would be unacceptable.