The European Union will cooperate on a new plan to implement the next phase of their trade agreement (EU) with the USAwith the aim of bypassing Washington’s proposal to relax the block the rules that President Donald Trump has long been ridiculed.
Specifically, the idea is to create a checklist that ensures that the agreement remains on the right track and proceeds within the parameters set by the EU and the US this summer, according to Bloomberg.
This move comes after Washington’s request to Brussels earlier this month to revise several technological, digital and corporate environmental laws – demands that EU officials were considered maximalist and unsustainable for commencement. The EU has stated that it is ready to discuss these issues and address concerns, but will not give up its regulatory autonomy.
Following talks by EU chief trade leader Maros Sefkovic and US Trade Representative Jameson Green last weekend, Brussels decided to put aside demands for the retirement list.
A White House official questioned EU evaluation on the US proposal, saying he was not pushing for anything that is not included in the trade agreement. The deal set a 15% duty on most EU products entering the US, but also included commitments to continue working on issues such as steel duties, cars and medicinal products.
Overfy Gil, a spokesman for the European Commission, who operates the EU trade, refused to comment on the control list and demands of the US.
In his previous statements, he said officials are focusing on the implementation of the agreement. “We do not negate any of our laws, none of our own regulatory autonomies in the EU”told reporters on Thursday (10.10.25). “Neither with the US, nor with anyone”. Representatives of the US Commercial Representative refused to comment.
The checklist will be based on three principles, one of the people said. The tasks must be linked to the joint statement, the obligations must be mutual and the application – whether they are legally binding or not – may be decided later.
At the same time, Brussels is pushing to reduce the 50% duties imposed by Washington on steel and aluminum imports. They have suggested that both sides have been targeted together in the global surplus production capacity powered by China and have proposed lower duties in steel under a specific quota.
The block has announced this week that it plans to impose its own 50% duties on steel imports from abroad over a specified limit.
However, EU officials are still worried that the Trump government is expanding the 50% rate to more steel and aluminum products, while preparing more potential duties in other areas, such as medical devices and technologies.
The US has also resisted the addition of goods such as wine and alcoholic beverages to the list of imports excluded 15%. The concern is that these movements could collectively weaken the 15%ceiling.
EU envoy David O’Salivan, a former senior official for the trade committee, said any indication that the US does not respect the agreement could complicate its approval in the European Parliament, which has not yet given it.
“We would like to believe that an agreement is a deal and you do not open it again. But we also know that Trump is a subversive man, someone who likes to be unpredictable. “ He told Bloomberg TV in an interview this week by David O’Salivan.
However, both sides have taken several measures to implement the trade agreement in recent months.
The Trump government has confirmed that European cars are benefiting from the 15% rate instead of the highest 25% sector duty on other imports. Pharmaceuticals and wood are expected to receive the same treatment.
The EU is also working to ensure that species that may face additional US duties – including trucks, medical equipment and robotic products – will benefit from the same benefit.