EU lawmakers extend freeze on work tied to EU‑US trade deal

EU Lawmakers Prolong Suspension of EU-US Trade Deal Legislation

EU Lawmakers Delay Progress on EU-US Trade Deal Proposals

(Refile to remove "Hold" from the headline)

Background on the Legislative Proposals

BRUSSELS, March 4 (Reuters) - EU lawmakers have decided not to resume work on legislative proposals related to the EU‑U.S. trade deal, Jorgen Warborn, a member of the centre-right European People's Party grouping in the EU assembly said on Wednesday.

Official Statement on Postponement

"The U.S. files have been postponed," he said on social media platform X.

Details of the Trade Deal

Key Elements of the Agreement

The EU assembly has been debating legislative proposals to remove many EU import duties on U.S. goods, a key part of the deal struck in Turnberry, Scotland, last July, as well as to continue zero duties for U.S. lobsters, initially agreed with Trump in 2020. The proposals require approval by the parliament and EU governments.

Lawmakers' Concerns and Conditions

Perceived Imbalance and Required Safeguards

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.

(Reporting by Phil Blenkinsop, Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout)