Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union is willing to extend an agreement that permits the duty-free import of U.S. lobsters, as part of a larger initiative to eliminate tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, according to a report from the Financial Times on Thursday, which cited two officials.
The European Union has introduced a new trade proposal to the US, aiming to restart paused discussions with President Trump’s administration. This offer encompasses gradual tariff reductions on non-sensitive goods, along with collaboration in energy, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. In the event of unsuccessful negotiations, the EU is preparing approximately $108 billion in retaliatory tariffs.
Why is the EU seeking to extend the lobster deal?
The existing European Union regulation waiving customs duties on fresh and frozen lobsters imported from the US will end on July 31. This lobster agreement between Washington and Brussels was established in 2020 during Trump’s first term.
Bernd Lange, head of the European Parliament‘s trade committee, indicated to the FT that while the lobster trade isn’t very economically significant, it contributed to de-escalation from Trump.
“(The deal) is expiring at the end of July,”
he said.
“I’m really in favour of extending it.”
“The continuation of the lobster agreement will depend on the outcome of ongoing negotiations, to which the EU remains fully committed,”
Olof Gill, EU Commission spokesperson for trade, stated.
How are steel and car tariffs impacting EU-U.S. ties?
On the other hand, the European Union has already encountered a 25% U.S. import tariff on its steel, aluminium, and cars because of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which began on March 12, 2025, for steel and aluminium, and will begin on April 3, 2025, for cars. The U.S. government imposed 10% tariffs on most European Union goods, yet these rates might increase to 20% after the 90-day suspension ended on July 8, 2025.
Moreover, the European Commission has suggested countermeasures that could affect up to 95 billion euros worth of U.S. imports if tariff negotiations with Washington do not succeed. It has consistently expressed a preference for a negotiated resolution over retaliatory tariffs.
