The Digester

EU pauses US trade deal after Trump orders 15% global tariff

Feb 23rd 2026

European Parliament trade committee delayed ratification and is seeking clarity on how the new U.S. tariff will affect the summer US-EU agreement that capped tariffs at 15 percent.

  • EU trade committee postponed its ratification vote pending clarification from the US on how the new tariff fits the deal.
  • Trump announced a 15 percent global import tariff after the Supreme Court struck down his use of an emergency powers law and cited another trade law to justify the move.
  • The US-EU deal capped tariffs at 15 percent for most European imports and set tariffs on US industrial goods to zero.
  • Applying the new 15 percent rate on top of existing tariffs would breach the agreed ceiling and raise costs for consumers and businesses.
  • The tariffs are temporary under the law used and will last 150 days unless Congress extends them while the administration seeks other legal options.

Sources

apnews.com