Adjustment of customs duties and opening of tariff quotas for the import of certain goods originating in the United States of America

The European Parliament adopted, by 440 votes to 151 with 50 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adjustment of customs duties on the import of certain goods originating in the United States of America and opening of tariff quotas for imports of certain goods originating in the United States of America.

As a reminder, on 21 August 2025, the EU and the US published a joint statement on an EU-US framework agreement on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade. The US committed to amending, in line with this political agreement, certain customs duties applicable to imports of products originating in the EU, by reducing the applicable rate to an all-inclusive tariff ceiling of 15 %. Within the framework of this political agreement, this proposal eliminates customs duties on all industrial products exported by the US to the EU. It also provides preferential access to the European market for a wide range of United States seafood and agricultural products.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading, amending the proposal as follows:

Suspension clause

The European Commission may suspend the application of tariff preferences, in whole or in part, by means of an implementing act if, after examination of reliable information:

- the United States fails to comply with the EU-US Joint Statement of 21 August 2025, in particular if it fails to address EU concerns regarding tariffs applied to European exports that previously benefited from a 15% tariff ceiling or exemptions;

- the United States undermines the objectives of the joint statement, for example by deteriorating trade and investment relations, restricting access for European companies to the US market, or discriminating against EU economic operators;

- the objective circumstances have changed compared to those that existed when the joint statement was published.

Steel and aluminium derivatives

Furthermore, the Commission may suspend the application of preferential tariff treatment for certain steel, iron, and aluminium products (Chapters 72, 73, and 76 of the Customs Nomenclature) if, on 31 December 2026, the United States continues to impose tariffs exceeding 15% on steel and aluminium derivatives imported from the European Union.

By 1 December 2026, the Commission will report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the United States’ tariff treatment of steel and aluminium derivative products imported from the Union to the United States.

Safeguard measures

The amended text establishes a safeguard mechanism allowing the European Commission to react if the measures provided for in the regulation lead to an excessive increase in imports from the United States. If goods originating in the United States are imported into the Union in such large quantities that they cause or risk causing serious injury to European industry, the Commission may suspend, in whole or in part, the tariff reductions or quotas granted.

An investigation may be opened: (i) upon a duly substantiated request by three or more Member States; (ii) on behalf of the Union industry, or any association without legal personality that is acting on behalf of the Union industry or on behalf of trade unions, where there is sufficient prima facie evidence of serious injury or the threat of serious injury to the Union industry; (iii) on the Commission’s initiative, including on the basis of information provided by one or more Member States or by the European Parliament.

The Commission must inform the Member States and the European Parliament of the outcome of any investigation.

The safeguard measures will remain in force as long as the circumstances that justified them persist.

The amended text clarifies that the Union industry means either the Union producers as a whole of the like or directly competitive product that operate within the territory of the Union, or Union producers whose collective output of the like or directly competitive product normally constitutes more than 50 % and in exceptional circumstances not less than 25 % of the total Union production of such product.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

The European Commission will monitor the economic effects of the tariff reductions and quotas provided for in the Regulation. Within six months of the Regulation's entry into force, and every three months thereafter, it will inform the European Parliament and the Council of changes in trade volumes and values of imports into the Union of goods originating in the United States.

By 30 June 2029, the Commission will present a comprehensive assessment of the effects of this Regulation. The comprehensive assessment will cover, inter alia:

- the impact of the application of this Regulation on all imports and exports between the Union and the United States;

- changes in trade flows across Member States and industrial and agricultural sectors;

- how Union trade patterns have changed with respect to trade with third countries;

- the impact of this Regulation on revenues collected from customs duties;

- the impact of this Regulation on small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Commission will make the data and methodology used for the comprehensive assessment available to the public.

If the results warrant it, the evaluation may be accompanied by a legislative proposal to extend the application of the Regulation.

Entry into force and application

The regulation applies until 31 December 2029. If necessary, the Commission will present a legislative proposal to extend the period of application of the regulation.