EU-US Turnberry deal enters decisive week as Parliament and Council seek agreement on tariff legislation

Brussels – The European Parliament and Council enter this week the decisive phase of trilogue negotiations on two legislative proposals implementing the so-called EU-US Turnberry deal, the framework on tariff and trade exchanges announced in July 2025 at the Turnberry resort in Scotland.

The deal, brokered between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and former US President Donald Trump during the latter’s diplomatic visit to Scotland, established a baseline 15% US tariff on most EU exports — significantly lower than the 30% rate threatened in the spring 2025 trade dispute. In exchange, the EU committed to substantial purchases of US energy products and to facilitate market access for several US sectors.

What the Turnberry deal contains

The framework agreed in July 2025 includes the following key elements:

• 15% baseline US tariff on most EU exports of goods, replacing the previous threat of escalation to 30%
• EU energy purchases: commitment to import up to $250 billion of US LNG, oil and nuclear-related products over a three-year period
• Strategic exemptions: aircraft and parts, certain chemicals, and selected critical raw materials remain duty-free
• Pharmaceutical carve-out: a separate negotiation track for pharmaceuticals, with a transitional arrangement
• Steel and aluminium: maintained at 50%, subject to a tariff-rate quota mechanism

Two legislative proposals in trilogue

The Commission tabled two implementing acts in late 2025, both of which now enter final negotiation between Parliament and Council. The first regulates the tariff classification updates and import customs procedures. The second deals with the EU energy procurement framework — including state-aid implications and the establishment of a Joint Energy Procurement Platform for member states wishing to coordinate LNG purchases.

Parliament’s lead committee (INTA – International Trade) has signalled strong support for the package, with rapporteur Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany) calling the deal “imperfect but operationally necessary to preserve the transatlantic economic anchor.”

Stakes for European exporters

For European industry, particularly the German and Italian automotive sectors, French luxury exports, Spanish wine, and Italian textiles, the implementation of the Turnberry framework determines whether the worst-case scenario of escalating tariffs is definitively averted. Volkswagen, Stellantis, LVMH, and Ferrari have all welcomed the predictability the legislation would bring.

The trilogue is expected to conclude by mid-June, with formal adoption before the summer recess to ensure the framework is operational ahead of the autumn US political calendar.