MNI BRIEF: MEPs Continue Talks On 'Trump-Proofing' Trade Deal

The European Parliament's negotiating team is continuing to discuss how to “Trump-proof” an EU-U.S. trade deal - which stalled following the clash over Greenland - ahead of an official vote on whether to resume work on the deal. 

The main elements of the discussions include the possibility of treating new tariffs as triggers for suspension and an exclusion of steel from the agreement because of the 50% U.S. tariffs on EU goods containing steel, which MEPs say breaches the 15% tariff level on EU goods agreed in July. 

MEPs are also set to decide Wednesday on whether a vote should take place during the Feb 23-24 session on whether to resume work on the legislation. 

"The talks have already resumed in practice, but they do need to schedule the vote in the INTA (Trade) Committee," one EP source said. “It’s clear there will be amendments - some form of review clause.”  (See MNI INTERVIEW: Tariff War Pushes Up Inflation- ECB's Pelagidis)