European Parliament Trade Committee Approves EU-US Trade Deal, Plenary Vote Set for 16th

Central News Agency (Brussels, 2nd) The European Parliament's International Trade Committee passed the EU-US trade agreement today, with a plenary vote scheduled for the 16th. US President Donald Trump had previously threatened to impose higher tariffs if the EU did not approve the deal by July 4. After months of internal debate, the committee voted today. According to the European Parliament, the draft passed with 31 votes in favor, 6 against, and 3 abstentions. Chief negotiator Bernd Lange described the result as moving to the next stage. The agreement includes a clear safety net, a review mechanism, and safeguards against new US tariffs. Euronews reported that the draft includes compromises, extending the sunset clause to December 31, 2029. Furthermore, if the US does not remove steel and aluminum tariffs by the end of 2026, the EU can suspend the agreement.