The EU approved legislation this week implementing its trade deals with the United States.
The Council of the European Union announced that it has adopted two regulations removing customs duties on industrial goods from the U.S, as well as giving U.S. seafood and other products preferential entry. The EU noted that the regulations “also contain reinforced safeguard and suspension mechanisms” such as providing for a “dedicated safeguard mechanism enabling the Commission to act swiftly in cases of significant import surges causing or threatening to cause serious injury to EU operators, and strengthen the EU’s ability to suspend tariff preferences where the US does not respect its commitments, undermines the objectives of the Joint Statement, or otherwise disrupts balanced trade relations, including through discriminatory measures.”
The main regulation will cease at the end of 2029, the EU added.
“We are committed to a strong and open transatlantic partnership with our historic ally, but openness must go hand in hand with safeguarding our interests,” said Michael Damianos, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus. “These measures achieve both, supporting stable and predictable trade flows with the US while ensuring the EU can respond swiftly and proportionately when the deal is not respected or its interests are at stake. We are sending a strong signal that Europe is open to the world, but also clear about protecting its businesses and workers.”
In 2025, the US and EU detailed their framework agreement on trade. The agreement centered on metal products and technology.
