Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Fresh Uncertainty
The European Parliament has suspended progress on the EU-US trade agreement following a US Supreme Court ruling that declared some of Washington’s 2025 tariffs illegal. The decision triggered a sharp response from President Donald Trump, who announced new 15% import duties, further clouding the future of the deal.
German MEP Bernd Lange, who chairs the Parliament’s trade committee, said the legal landscape had shifted dramatically. According to him, the combination of the court ruling and the introduction of new tariffs has fundamentally altered the basis on which the agreement was negotiated. Lawmakers are now seeking clear assurances from Washington that the deal will be respected over the long term.
Parliament Holds the Final Say
The agreement, brokered in July 2025 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump after weeks of tense negotiations, had already faced criticism in Europe. It locks in 15% US tariffs on EU exports while granting mostly tariff-free access for American goods entering the bloc.
Although a parliamentary vote had been scheduled, it has now effectively been scrapped. The European Parliament’s approval is required for the deal to take effect, giving lawmakers significant leverage at a moment of growing transatlantic tension.
Diplomatic Efforts to Contain the Fallout
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič held emergency talks with US officials, including Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, in an effort to clarify Washington’s position. He also briefed G7 counterparts, aiming to calm concerns over the latest tariff escalation.
Šefčovič stressed that clarity on how the 15% tariff arrangement would be applied is essential, insisting that “a deal is a deal” and must be honored. He expressed hope that the Parliament could still vote on the agreement during its March plenary session.
Since returning to office, Trump has pursued an assertive trade agenda focused on reshoring American industry and increasing federal revenues. However, the Supreme Court ruled that he exceeded his authority by imposing tariffs without congressional approval under legislation intended for national emergencies — a judgment that now casts a long shadow over the future of the transatlantic trade pact.
