London(The COW News Digital)The European Parliament has announced the suspension of work on trade agreements between the European Union and the United States, citing growing concerns over what lawmakers describe as an imbalanced and unfair deal. The decision comes amid repeated tariff threats by former US President Donald Trump and his controversial insistence on acquiring control over Greenland.
According to international news agencies, the European Parliament decided to halt progress on the EU-US trade agreement after several members raised strong objections. Lawmakers argued that the proposed deal disproportionately favors the United States while placing the European Union at a disadvantage.
Members of the European Parliament stated that under the current framework, the EU would be required to reduce tariffs on a large number of imported goods, while the United States would maintain its existing 15 percent tax rate without offering comparable concessions. They described the arrangement as unequal and economically harmful to European interests.
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Although some of the same lawmakers had earlier signaled conditional readiness to move forward with the agreement, those conditions have now been overshadowed by renewed tensions. Previously proposed safeguards included an 18-month review period and protective measures to counter a potential surge in US imports. However, escalating tariff threats from Washington have undermined confidence in the deal.
The European Parliament’s Trade Committee had planned to vote on its position on January 26 and 27, but the process has now been postponed indefinitely. Bernd Lange, a senior figure in the committee, said that fresh tariff threats had disrupted the previously agreed framework, leaving lawmakers with no choice but to suspend discussions until further notice.
The move carries the risk of provoking a strong reaction from the United States. Analysts warn that the suspension could prompt Washington to impose higher tariffs on European imports, further straining transatlantic trade relations.
The Trump administration has already indicated that any potential tariff relief on products such as wine or steel would only be considered once the agreement is fully implemented. This stance has added to European concerns that the US is using economic pressure as leverage rather than pursuing a balanced partnership.
The suspension of talks highlights widening divisions between the EU and the US at a time of global economic uncertainty. European lawmakers insist that any future agreement must ensure fairness, reciprocity and protection of European industries.
As tensions persist, the future of EU-US trade cooperation remains uncertain, with both sides facing the prospect of escalating trade disputes if negotiations fail to resume on mutually acceptable terms.
