EU lawmakers stall U.S. trade deal in protest over Greenland

The European Parliament ‍has decided to suspend its work on the ​European Union’s trade deal with the United States ‌in protest at U.S. President ​Donald Trump’s demands to acquire Greenland and threats of tariffs on European allies who oppose his plan.

The EU Assembly has been debating legislative proposals to remove many EU import duties on U.S. goods, a key part of the agreement ​struck in Turnberry, Scotland, at the end ⁠of July, as well as to continue zero duties for U.S. lobsters, initially agreed with Mr. Trump in 2020.

The ​proposals require approval by ⁠the parliament and EU governments. Many lawmakers have complained that the trade deal is lopsided, with the EU required to cut most import ‌duties while the U.S. sticks to a broad ‌rate of 15%.

However, they had previously appeared willing to accept it, ‍albeit with conditions, such as an 18-month sunset clause and measures to respond to possible surges of ‍U.S. imports.

The trade committee of the European Parliament was due to set its position in votes on January 26-27. However this has now been postponed.

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The chair of the committee, Bernd Lange, told a news conference on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) 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 Mr. Trump, which could lead to higher ⁠U.S. tariffs. The Trump administration has also ruled out any concessions, such as cutting tariffs on spirits or steel, until the deal is in place.