Members of the European Parliament have approved the abolition of import tariffs on most industrial and agricultural goods from the USA. This is a key part of the trade agreement with Washington from last summer, which the European Commission negotiated in an effort to prevent the imposition of high tariffs by American President Donald Trump.
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European Parliament approves two key regulations
Members of Parliament today approved two legal acts designed to put the trade agreement into practice. The main regulation abolishing tariffs on American imports was adopted with 440 votes in favor, 151 against, and 50 abstentions. The regulation also allows preferential access to the EU market for a large portion of seafood and agricultural goods from the USA.
The second regulation was supported by 444 members, with 152 against and 54 abstentions. It concerns, among other things, the extension of duty-free imports of lobsters, now including processed lobsters. The agreement also includes a mechanism that allows the European Commission to respond quickly if the United States stops fulfilling its part of the agreement or if the market in specific sectors becomes flooded with American goods.
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Agreement aims to stabilize trade relations between EU and USA
Among Czech MEPs, those who voted in favor of abolishing tariffs included Ondřej Dostál, ODS representatives Ondřej Krutílek, Alexandr Vondra and Veronika Vrecionová, members of the ANO movement in the Patriots for Europe faction, Markéta Gregorová for the Pirates, and Czech representatives of the European People’s Party. Kateřina Konečná voted against, as did Nikola Bartůšek on the main regulation.
After approval by the European Parliament, the legislation must still be endorsed by representatives of member states in the Council of the EU. The measures will enter into force on the first day after publication in the official journal. According to the current wording, the zero tariff is set to expire on December 31, 2029, unless a decision is made to extend it. The European Commission is required to assess the impact of the measures on industry, agriculture, and small and medium-sized enterprises in the EU by June 30, 2029.
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Source: ČTK
