Brussels to halt Washington trade deal

European Union lawmakers are poised to halt approval of the EU’s trade deal with the U.S. over President Donald Trump’s vow to impose tariffs on countries that supported Greenland in the face of American threats.

Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s Party, the largest political group in the European Parliament, said that agreement with the U.S. is no longer possible.

“The EPP is in favor of the EU-US trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage,” Weber said.

According to him, the EU agreement to lower tariffs on “U.S. products must be put on hold.”

The EU-US trade agreement, which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck with Trump last summer, has already been partially implemented but still needs a nod from parliament. If EPP lawmakers join left-leaning political groups, it’s likely they’ll have enough votes to delay or block approval.

The trade agreement set a 15% U.S. tariff for most EU goods in exchange for a pledge by the EU to eliminate duties on U.S. industrial goods and some agricultural products.

Earlier, Trump announced a 10% tariff as of February 1 on goods from European countries that have rallied to support Greenland in the face of U.S. threats to seize the semi-autonomous Danish territory. He said the levies would increase to 25% unless and until “a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”