On Friday 27 March, the US ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder, welcomed the European Parliament’s vote to approve the trade agreement between the USA and the EU on Thursday, after many months of negotiations (see EUROPE 13837/4).
In particular, he underlined the important role of the European Commissioner for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, in breaking the deadlock in the talks. “I don’t think the deal would have got done without his support”, he conceded.
Prior to this result in the European Parliament, Mr Puzder had warned in an interview with the Financial Times on Monday 23 March that the EU could potentially lose its “favourable access” to US LNG in the event of an unfavourable vote.
To protect the EU’s fundamental interests, the European Parliament rapporteurs have introduced a number of amendments as transatlantic relations have evolved in recent months, particularly in the wake of President Donald Trump’s heightened threats to annex Greenland.
These amendments – such as a suspension clause or a ‘sunrise’ clause (see EUROPE 13832/20) – have no place in the summer 2025 agreement, according to the ambassador.
“We keep hearing, particularly in Europe, that a deal is a deal (...) In fact, we’ve been compliant with the deal since it was released at the end of August. We’ve been in compliance every day and we’re waiting for Europe to get through its process so it that it can be compliant one day”, said Mr Puzder.
He said he was awaiting the outcome of the interinstitutional negotiations with the Council of the EU (trilogue) and analysing how the latter would react to the Parliament’s various amendments.
The first trilogue is due to take place on 13 April. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)