EU-US Turnberry Trade Deal Approved by European Parliament Amidst Sharp Divides

On 16 June 2026, the European Parliament in Strasbourg approved the tariff part of the EU-US Turnberry deal. The vote was 444-152-54. The pact drops EU tariffs on most industrial and agricultural goods from the United States and caps U.S. duties on EU exports at 15 percent.

Mediapart

The deal followed President Donald Trump’s threat of a 100 percent tariff on French wine and his demand to scrap France’s digital services tax. Negotiations formalised in summer 2025 in Scotland paired the tariff pact with promises of EU investment and energy purchases, none of which are legally binding.

Mediapart

Bernd Lange and Pascal Canfin stress stability. Bernd Lange described the agreement as the start of a new phase, urging future renegotiation. Željana Zovko highlighted a “strong transatlantic partnership.” Pascal Canfin said firms prefer the deal to avoid a trade war, while Karin Karlsbro emphasized mutual-respect-based trade. Martin Schirdewan warned the EU was yielding to an “autocrat” and called the arrangement unbalanced. David Cormand disputed the alleged trade-deficit, pointing to services balances.

Mediapart

The vote tally was 444-152-54. The agreement eliminates EU tariffs on most industrial and agricultural products from the United States and caps U.S. duties on EU exports at 15 percent. An automatic expiry clause ends the tariff preferences on 31 December 2029 unless renewed beforehand.

Mediapart

Bernd Lange, Željana Zovko and Karin Karlsbro treat the 15 percent cap as guaranteed, yet analysts note the text lacks an enforceable assurance. Martin Schirdewan also argues the deal’s “unbalanced” design makes the EU vulnerable to U.S. policy shifts, a concern not addressed in the agreement.

Mediapart

The pact provides immediate tariff stability, lowering the risk of a transatlantic trade war and preserving supply-chain continuity. Yet its asymmetrical terms may limit EU regulatory autonomy and long-term economic sovereignty.

Mediapart

Karin Karlsbro and Željana Zovko call for a more balanced future deal; Martin Schirdewan warns any extension without substantive changes could cement the current asymmetry.

Mediapart

• “Europe and America must continue to move forward together, not only as allies but as partners shaping the future together,” — Željana Zovko, Croatian MEP (EPP)

Mediapart

• “Trade relations must be built on mutual respect and Europe has now set conditions for the transatlantic relations. By finalising this agreement we are doing what we can to provide ourselves and European businesses with as much stability as possible under current circumstances,” — Karin Karlsbro, Swedish MEP (Renew)

Mediapart

• “blackmailing the European Union ... had threatened to annex Greenland ... and had launched wars of aggression in defiance of international law.” — Martin Schirdewan, German MEP (The Left)

Mediapart