Daijiworld Media Network - Brussels

Brussels, Jan 22: The European Parliament has decided to suspend its work on the European Union’s trade agreement with the United States, protesting US President Donald Trump’s demand to acquire Greenland and his threats to impose tariffs on European allies opposing the plan.

The EU legislature had been debating proposals to remove several EU import duties on US goods — a key component of the trade agreement reached in Turnberry, Scotland, at the end of July. The package also included provisions to continue zero import duties on US lobsters, first agreed with the Trump administration in 2020. Both measures require approval from the European Parliament and EU member states.

Several lawmakers have criticised the deal as being heavily skewed in favour of the United States, pointing out that while the EU would be required to slash most of its import duties, the US would retain a broad tariff rate of 15%.

Despite the criticism, parliamentarians had earlier signalled a willingness to accept the agreement, subject to conditions such as an 18-month sunset clause and safeguards to counter any sudden surge in US imports.

The European Parliament’s trade committee was scheduled to finalise its position through votes on January 26 and 27. However, these votes have now been postponed, effectively halting progress on the deal for the time being.