European Commission urges US to honor trade deal
Deutsche Welle
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The European Commission has called on the United States to respect a trade deal agreed upon last July, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment and predictability for EU companies and exporters. This demand comes after President Donald Trump announced plans to increase global tariffs from 10% to 15%, following the US Supreme Court's decision to block many of his emergency tariffs. The court's ruling has cast uncertainty over the ratification of the deal, which was temporarily suspended and scheduled for approval by the European Parliament. The Commission stressed that "a deal is a deal," urging Washington to provide clarity on its next steps and ensure that EU products continue to benefit from the agreed-upon tariff ceilings without any additional increases.
The trade agreement between the US and the EU, finalized in July 2025, was reached after Trump had imposed tariffs on multiple countries to reduce the US trade deficit. Under the deal, most EU exports to the US would face a 15% tariff, while the EU committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of American energy products by 2028. However, the ratification process was paused following Trump's push to have the US take over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, which is an EU member state. The Commission has now emphasized the need for stability and mutual benefits in transatlantic trade, warning that the current situation is not conducive to achieving these goals.
The Commission also highlighted the importance of legal certainty for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. It pointed out that the deal was designed to ensure fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade relations between the US and the EU. The uncertainty caused by Trump's tariff decisions and the Supreme Court's ruling has created a challenging environment for companies planning their exports and investments. The Commission is currently studying the potential effects of
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/22/2026