European Parliament freezes EU–US trade deal amid Trump threats

The European Parliament has decided to suspend the ratification of the trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, following recent threats made by US president Donald Trump, leaders of the parliament’s main political blocs confirmed on Tuesday.

Iratxe García Pérez, leader of the Social Democratic bloc, told reporters that there was a broad consensus among the majority of political groups to freeze the agreement reached last year between Brussels and Washington.

The move was also confirmed by the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group in the European Parliament, which announced a halt to discussions on the deal.

The agreement provided for a 15 percent tariff on European exports to the United States, in exchange for the removal of tariffs on American exports to the European Union.

EPP leader Manfred Weber said that maintaining tariffs on US companies seeking access to the European market represents “a very powerful tool,” underscoring the bloc’s determination to protect European economic interests amid growing political uncertainty.

The decision reflects rising tensions in transatlantic trade relations and signals the European Parliament’s willingness to use economic leverage in response to political developments in Washington.