Europe · Business news · Policy & Regulation · 20 May 2026
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The European Parliament and EU governments reached a political agreement on two regulations implementing the EU-US trade arrangement: tariffs on all US industrial goods are eliminated and some US farm and seafood products get preferential access. Once approved, the concessions run until the end of 2029, with a possible extension, and include a safeguard clause and the right to suspend them in defined circumstances. In return, under the August 2025 joint statement, the US committed to a maximum 15% tariff on most EU exports, including cars and car parts, with exclusions for aircraft and parts, generic medicines and natural resources not available in the US.
By delivering the EU's side of the deal, the agreement supports the 15% US tariff ceiling that matters most for European carmakers such as Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis, and the exclusions that keep aircraft makers like Airbus and Safran and generic-drug producers outside extra duties. Dropping EU duties on US industrial goods lowers input costs for European manufacturers buying US machinery and components, while the safeguard clause limits the risk of import surges. Formal votes in Parliament and the Council were still needed.
Reported by European Commission — “Commission welcomes political agreement on implementation of EU-US trade deal” ↗ on 20 May 2026.
Official series on 20 May 2026 or the last day before it, and the latest observation.
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