The Council presidency and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on two regulations that implement the tariff-related elements of the EU–US Joint Statement agreed on 21 August 2025.
The deal marks an important step in delivering commitments under the agreement and is designed to strengthen a stable and predictable transatlantic trade relationship, while maintaining safeguards to protect economic interests if needed.
The Joint Statement will continue to serve as a framework for engagement between the European Union and the United States, with both sides aiming to support tariff reduction and cooperation on shared trade issues.
Key elements of the agreement
The first regulation removes remaining customs duties on US industrial goods and introduces preferential access for certain products, including tariff rate quotas and reduced tariffs on selected seafood and non-sensitive agricultural goods.
The second regulation extends the suspension of duties on lobster imports, including processed lobster products.
Safeguards and enforcement tools
A reinforced safeguard mechanism allows the EU to respond if increased imports from the US cause or threaten serious injury to domestic producers. The European Commission may launch an investigation following requests from member states, industry, or trade unions, or on its own initiative, and may suspend measures if necessary.
The agreement also strengthens the Commission’s ability to suspend the regulations if commitments under the Joint Statement are not met or if trade relations are disrupted. This includes potential suspension of concessions on steel and aluminium products under certain conditions.
Duration and monitoring
The regulations include a sunset clause, meaning they will expire at the end of 2029 unless renewed.
The European Commission will monitor the economic impact regularly, reporting every three months after the measures take effect. A full assessment will be conducted six months before expiry, including effects on trade flows, tariffs, and small and medium-sized enterprises, with the option to propose an extension.
Next steps
After technical finalisation, both institutions must formally adopt the agreement before publication in the Official Journal. The regulations will take effect the day after publication, while the lobster-related measures will apply retroactively from 1 August 2025.
Background
The European Union and the United States represent one of the world’s largest trade and investment relationships, accounting for a significant share of global economic activity. Trade in goods and services reached around €1.7 trillion in 2024, supported by over €4.7 trillion in mutual investments in 2023.
The regulations implement tariff reductions outlined in the EU–US Joint Statement of 21 August 2025.
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