EU Expedites Start of US Trade Deal in Bow to Trump Demand (3)

May 20, 2026, 1:31 AM UTC

The European Union finalized the text of its long-delayed US trade deal after months of negotiations, clearing a major hurdle to ratifying the pact before President Donald Trump’s threatened deadline to impose higher tariffs.

EU lawmakers and member states reached the agreement early on Wednesday, according to the EU’s rotating presidency held by Cyprus, overcoming lingering disputes that have helped stall implementation.

The deal, which was initially struck last July, would see the EU erase levies on US industrial goods in exchange for a 15% tariff ceiling on the bloc’s exports.

The European Parliament and EU countries will now ...

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