Monday, 17 August 2026Europe · Analysis
Independent · Brussels & Berlin
Person
European Commission trade spokesman, European Commission
Lawmakers voted 334 to 324 to ask the Court of Justice whether the agreement with four South American nations complies with EU policy, delaying ratification by up to two years.
Brussels tells member states it will not accept Washington's demand to drop supply chain and climate legislation as the price of a tariff agreement, setting up a clash at next month's European Council summit.
Brussels freezes countermeasures due to start August 7 while both sides flesh out a framework that still leaves EU exports facing 15 percent across-the-board US duties.
The 15% blanket tariff takes effect while negotiators argue over pharmaceuticals, steel quotas, energy purchases and defence commitments that exist only in the White House version.
The EU executive extends its contact ban to any organisation advancing the Chinese firm's interests, following Belgian charges against eight people including a senior Huawei executive.
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