EU Lawmakers Vote on US Trade Deal

0:00On March 17, European Union lawmakers are set to vote on Thursday in their trade committee on key parts of a trade deal with the United States. The measures would drive EU import duties on American industrial goods, ease access for U.S. farm products, and keep zero tariffs on U.S. lobsters. This comes after the parliament twice paused the process, worried the U.S. wasn't holding up its end. The agreement stems from talks in Scotland last July, building on a 2020 lobster deal from the Trump era. Suspensions happened first in January over U.S. threats tied to Greenland talks, then in February after a 10% U.S. import surcharge hits a EU. Exports. Many in the parliament view the deal as uneven, with the EU slashing most duties while the U.S. holds a broad 15% rate. Lawmakers pushed back with safeguards, including an 18-month expiration and tools to handle import spikes. On Tuesday, a small group of lawmakers agreed to move forward with Thursday's vote, adding a sunrise clause that ties EU duty cuts to U.S. compliance.

1:03EU officials say this unlocked the stalemate after careful talks. With approval still needing talks between parliament and governments, final passage won't come before April at the earliest. It's watching the sea if the U.S. steps up and keeps the deal on track.