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Brussels, 15 August 2025 — The European Union and the United States are nearing the conclusion of a long-awaited trade agreement, as Washington submits its latest suggestions to the European Commission. The move marks a significant step toward finalising the joint statement that underpins the political accord reached between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump in late July.
📄 Progress on Technical Details
European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill confirmed on Thursday that the US has formally responded with proposed revisions to the draft text. “We have received a text from the US with their suggestions for, let’s say, getting closer to that finalisation of the document,” Gill told reporters. “So we’re going to look at that now.”
The joint statement, while not legally binding, is considered critical for setting out the technical framework of the deal—including tariff exemptions and the list of affected goods. The finalisation of these details has been delayed, prompting concern among stakeholders across both sides of the Atlantic.
🤝 Political Agreement Reached in Scotland
The political breakthrough came more than two weeks ago during a high-level meeting in Scotland, where von der Leyen and Trump agreed to end the trade dispute between the two blocs. Under the terms of the agreement:
- The US will impose a reduced tariff rate of 15% on select EU goods.
- The EU will commit to purchasing US energy products valued at €750 billion.
- An additional €600 billion in EU investment is expected to flow into the US before the end of President Trump’s term.
Despite the headline commitments, both parties have since issued conflicting interpretations of the deal’s scope and implementation timeline.
🔄 Ongoing Negotiations
Gill declined to provide a timeline for the finalisation of the text, noting that progress depends on “full engagement and full focus” from both sides. “We ping pong it forward and back until we get to a final text, and I hope we can get there soon,” he added.
The European Commission is preparing to submit its own counter-suggestions, continuing the iterative drafting process. Further technical and political engagement is expected in the coming days.
🚗 Industry Concerns
European manufacturers, particularly in the automotive sector, have expressed frustration over delays in implementing the agreed tariff reductions. The current rate of 27.5% on car imports remains unchanged, despite the political commitment to lower it to 15%.
Gill addressed concerns about the absence of a formal executive order from the US president, stating: “The US has made political commitments to us in this respect, and we look forward to them being implemented.”
🌐 Strategic Significance
The trade agreement is viewed as a pivotal moment in transatlantic relations, with potential to reshape economic cooperation between the EU and the US. While the joint statement may not carry legal weight, its technical provisions will serve as the foundation for future regulatory alignment and commercial exchange.
