EU Parliament Trade Chief Proposes Freezing US Deal Ratification Amid Tariff Uncertainty

European Parliament trade committee chairman Bernd Lange announced he will propose suspending the ratification of the EU-US "Turnberry Agreement" at an emergency meeting on February 23, 2026. The move follows a US Supreme Court ruling striking down President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers for reciprocal tariffs, creating what Lange termed "customs chaos." Lange stated the legislative process will pause until the EU receives a comprehensive legal assessment and clear commitments from the US administration. The Turnberry Agreement, negotiated last summer, established a 15% tariff rate on most EU exports to the US and duty-free access for US goods entering the bloc. However, Trump signaled intentions to impose a 15% global tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act following the court decision, prompting concerns over legal conflicts with the bilateral deal.