As the European Parliament prepares to vote on the next step of the EU–US Turnberry trade deal, Renew Europe has backed the position adopted by the Committee on International Trade (INTA) on 19 March.
A key priority for Renew Europe throughout this process is to ensure the deal delivers real predictability and stability - for businesses, workers and citizens.
Renew Europe's message is unambiguous: the EU will move forward - but on the basis of fairness and clarity. The INTA position significantly strengthens the European Commission's original proposal by making it Trump-proof: no higher tariffs, no more threats of tariffs, and no security threats against EU member states.
One of the key elements the European Parliament wants is a “sunrise clause,” whereby the EU will only lower its tariffs once the US has delivered on its side of the deal. It also wants a stronger “suspension clause”, meaning the EU can pause the agreement if the US breaks the deal, introduces new tariffs, or threatens to do so.
There has also been emphasis on stronger protections for the steel, aluminium and their derivatives, which remain disproportionately exposed under current US trade policy.
Karin Karlsbro (Liberalerna, SE), Renew Europe shadow rapporteur on this file said:
“Transatlantic trade relations must be built on mutual respect. We have not forgotten Greenland, the threats and the blackmail. Europe must be prepared to set conditions for the transatlantic relations moving onward. That's what we do through this vote, by Trump proofing the Turnberry tariff agreements. That means: no higher tariffs, no more threats of tariffs, and no security threats. By approving this vote we are doing what we can to provide ourselves and European businesses with as much stability as possible under the circumstances.”
Sophie Wilmès (MR, Belgium), Vice-Chair of the EP US Delegation, stated :
“One could hardly say that the Turnberry agreement is balanced, but we are ready to accept it if it provides our businesses with stability and predictability in their trade relations with the United States. However, as the U.S. administration lacks either the capacity or the willingness to guarantee even this minimum, it is up to us, Europeans, to put our own safeguards in place to protect ourselves from the chaos of U.S. tariff policies, and even from certain threats. This is exactly what the Parliament is doing today through this vote.”
Renew Europe's support for the INTA mandate does not amount to a blank cheque for the final agreement. The outcome of the interinstitutional negotiations with the Council will determine the Group's ultimate position.