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Legislative Intelligence Unit · April 2026
European Parliament — Plenary Vote

EU-US Trade Deal:
The Turnberry Agreement

Parliament approves tariff legislation with unprecedented safeguard clauses, signaling a cautious but decisive step in transatlantic trade relations.

📅 26 March 2026 · Strasbourg

Plenary Vote Results

Adjustment of customs duties and tariff quotas on US-origin goods

417
In Favour
154
Against
71
Abstentions
64.9%
24.0%
11.1%
In Favour Against Abstentions

Simple majority required: 322 — ADOPTED (+95 margin)

Vote 1: Customs duties & tariff quotas

417 for 154 against 71 abstentions

Vote 2: Non-application of customs duties

437 for 144 against 60 abstentions

Deal at a Glance

Key economic parameters of the Turnberry Agreement

0%
EU tariffs on
US industrial goods
15%
US tariffs on
EU exports
$750B
EU energy
purchase pledges
Mar 2028
Sunset clause
expiry date

Political Group Positions

How the main EP groups positioned themselves on the Turnberry legislation

EPP (European People's Party)
188 seats
In favour
Strong support for transatlantic trade. Pushed for "predictable and rules-based" commercial relationship with the US.
S&D (Socialists & Democrats)
136 seats
In favour (with conditions)
Rapporteur Bernd Lange (S&D) called the deal "imbalanced" but accepted it with strong safeguards. Backed stronger EU protections.
Renew Europe
77 seats
In favour
Backed the mandate as "Trump-proofed." Shadow rapporteur Karin Karlsbro insisted on sunrise clause conditionality.
Greens/EFA
53 seats
Split
Concerns over CBAM flexibilities for US companies and sustainability directive weakening. Group divided on final vote.
ECR (European Conservatives)
78 seats
Split
Generally pro-trade, but national delegations diverged on agricultural concessions and steel/aluminium tariff provisions.
PfE (Patriots for Europe)
86 seats
Split
National sovereignty concerns versus economic pragmatism. Fragmented along national lines.
The Left (GUE/NGL)
46 seats
Against
Opposed the asymmetric tariff structure (0% EU vs 15% US) and perceived concessions on environmental standards.

Parliamentary Safeguards

Three protective mechanisms added by MEPs to rebalance the agreement

☀️

Sunrise Clause

EU tariff preferences only take effect once the US demonstrates compliance with Turnberry commitments. Steel & aluminium products exceeding 50% content require US tariff reduction within 6 months.

⏳

Sunset Clause

The regulation expires on 31 March 2028 unless renewed through a new legislative proposal following a full impact assessment. Forces periodic review of deal effectiveness.

⚠️

Suspension Clause

The Commission may suspend tariff preferences if the US imposes duties >15%, introduces new tariffs, undermines deal objectives, or engages in economic coercion against EU members.

Agreement Structure

Core provisions of the Turnberry Agreement (July 2025)

📦 Tariff Framework

  • EU eliminates tariffs on most US industrial goods
  • US sets 15% tariff ceiling on EU exports
  • Metals (steel & aluminium): 50% tariffs above quotas
  • Preferential access for US seafood & agricultural goods

📄 Non-Tariff Measures

  • Mutual recognition of automotive standards
  • EU to reduce administrative burdens in sustainability directives
  • CBAM flexibilities for US companies
  • Streamlined sanitary certificates for pork & dairy

💰 Investment Commitments

  • $750 billion in EU energy purchases from the US (non-binding)
  • $600 billion in US investment pledges (non-binding)
  • Both commitments are political declarations, not enforceable

Legislative Timeline

From political agreement to implementation

27 July 2025
Political agreement announced at Turnberry, Scotland (von der Leyen & Trump)
21 August 2025
Framework agreement formally published with detailed tariff schedules
21 January 2026
Parliament suspended ratification proceedings over the Greenland crisis
19 March 2026
INTA Committee cleared tariff elimination proposals with safeguard amendments
26 March 2026
Full Plenary adoption: 417-154-71 — Two legislative acts with sunset, sunrise and suspension clauses
13 April 2026
First trilogue meeting (Parliament, Council, Commission) — safeguards expected to be main point of contention
April–May 2026
Expected implementation timeline (subject to Council agreement on safeguard clauses)