The EU Council has approved the EU-U.S. trade agreement: what we know
25 June 14:23
The EU Council has given final approval to the tariff commitments under the EU-U.S. trade agreement. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing DW.
Two regulations have been officially adopted in accordance with the commitments set out in the joint EU-U.S. statement of August 21, 2025, officials in Brussels clarified.
“The adoption of these regulations concludes the legislative process and reaffirms the EU’s commitment to stable, predictable, and mutually beneficial transatlantic trade relations, while maintaining the necessary safeguards for European economic interests,” the EU emphasized.
Michael Damianos, Minister of Energy, Trade, and Industry of Cyprus, which currently holds the EU presidency, stated that Brussels is sending a clear signal that “Europe is open to the world, but at the same time intends to protect its businesses and workers.”
U.S. Preferences and a Special Safeguard Mechanism for the EU
The approved regulations eliminate remaining EU tariffs on industrial goods from the U.S., introduce preferential access for a range of seafood products and certain agricultural goods from the United States, and extend the suspension of tariffs on lobster imports.
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At the same time, the regulations provide that the European Commission may respond promptly in cases of a significant surge in imports that causes or threatens to cause serious harm to EU operators.
In addition, the EU’s ability to suspend tariff preferences is being strengthened in cases where the United States fails to comply with its commitments, undermines the objectives of the joint statement, or otherwise disrupts balanced trade relations, including through discriminatory measures.
The measures are set to take effect before Trump’s “deadline”
Both regulations will be signed and published in the EU’s “Official Journal,” after which they will take effect the day following publication. According to preliminary data, this is expected to happen by July 4—the deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The regulation on lobster imports will apply retroactively from August 1, 2025, and will expire on July 31, 2030, unless further measures are taken.
By June 30, 2029, the European Commission will present a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the new regulations on trade flows between the EU and the U.S. and, in particular, on small and medium-sized enterprises. After that, the trade regime will be extended—if deemed appropriate.
The agreement has been criticized in the EU
On July 27, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the conclusion of a trade agreement between the EU and the U.S. The agreement prevented a 30 percent increase in tariffs on goods imported from the EU to the United States, which Trump had previously threatened to impose. The trade agreement was met with mixed reactions in both Germany and other EU countries.
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