BRUSSELS — Members of the European Parliament have effectively paused action on a landmark EU–U.S. trade agreement in response to President Donald Trump’s tariff threats linked to his push for control of Greenland.
The EU-U.S. Tariffs and Trade Framework Agreement — negotiated and signed in July 2025 by President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen — was expected to eliminate tariffs on many goods and ease transatlantic trade tensions. But Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on European countries that supported Greenland’s sovereignty triggered a political backlash in Europe, altering the political landscape for ratification.
The nonbinding political deal is intended to reduce transatlantic trade tensions by setting a 15% ceiling on U.S. tariffs applied to EU goods and removing EU tariffs on many U.S. industrial products. The framework also includes EU commitments to purchase an estimated $750 billion in U.S. energy, $40 billion in U.S. AI chips, and additional defense-related goods by 2028, though some sectors would require further negotiations.
While many in Brussels have criticized the deal as uneven — arguing that the EU would be cutting most of its import duties while the U.S. maintains a broad 15% rate — they had largely appeared prepared to move forward, though with conditions. Those conditions included an 18-month sunset clause and safeguards allowing the bloc to respond if U.S. imports surge.
France 24 reported additional details, including that Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee, said Trump’s Greenland-linked tariff threat had “broken” the agreement:
The chair of the committee Bernd Lange told a news conference on Wednesday that the new tariff threats had broken the Turnberry deal, saying it would now be put on hold until further notice.
However, freezing the deal risks angering Trump, which could lead to higher US tariffs. The Trump administration has also ruled out any concessions, such as cutting tariffs on spirits or steel, until the deal is in place.
The European Parliament’s trade committee was expected to set its position in votes scheduled for Jan. 26-27.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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While I agree that the U.S. should exercise control over Greenland, it should not take possession unless it’s limited to a protectorate. We do not need another liberal leftist state with two Senators and likely one representative in Congress likely aligning with the Democrats. Greenland should be treated like Puerto Rico, or the pacific islands under US dominion.
Dump the EU and let them assume their own responsiblity to secure their own nations. And in trade set the tariffs where they should have been all along. And take a vote in Greenland. Let that nation stand free of Denmark and decide their own fate. Becoming a state in the USA union would not be bad. Alaska is doing fine right next door to Russia. And Alaska is armed to defend itself against Russia with idiot Putin of the cold wars running their sick economy. Why is Russia always running a poor economy and China the same? Communism just does not work! It stifles creative thinking and snuff’s out anything different. And those in power stay in power without ever considering something that gives their peons hope to ever change the status quo. Repressive, you bet!
This is the opening salvo. The EU acts as though they are in the catbird seat, but reality reveals their culture and society are crumbling due to weakness. America saved their bacon in WW II and their submission to left wing ideology over the past few decades has them on the ropes. Only the USA can save them and only Trump can save the USA. Once they come to their senses they will cease posturing.
Get the USA out of nato, Mr President…..