EU eliminates tariffs on US industrial goods under trade deal

The European Union officially removed customs duties on imports of US industrial goods on Wednesday, fulfilling its commitments under a trade agreement signed with Washington in July 2025 . European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the move on social media, calling it “good news for transatlantic trade” and stating that it would bring “more predictability, more choice” and “better prices” for EU businesses and consumers. The regulation implementing the EU side of the agreement entered into force following its publication in the EU Official Journal.

Key provisions and safeguards

Under the arrangement, the bloc eliminated tariffs on a wide range of US-origin industrial goods and began granting preferential market access to various agricultural and seafood products imported from the United States. The agreement includes safeguard mechanisms designed to protect the EU’s economic interests and will remain in force until December 31, 2029. The EU also introduced provisions allowing the European Commission to suspend the pact if Washington fails to meet its commitments or if tariff preferences lead to significant import surges that threaten serious injury to European industry.

Transatlantic context

Negotiations on the EU-US trade deal were concluded in July 2025 at President Donald Trump’s golf resort in Scotland. Under the deal, the EU agreed to remove tariffs on US products, while Washington committed to applying a 15% customs tariff on most EU-origin goods. The implementation of the EU’s commitments had been delayed for months due to disagreements in bilateral relations, including Trump’s statements regarding Greenland and a US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs. The move comes as the EU seeks to maintain stable transatlantic trade relations amid ongoing global economic uncertainties.