The European Parliament adopted by 459 votes to 145 with 66 abstentions, a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on the allocation to the United States of a share in the tariff rate quota for high quality beef referred to in the revised memorandum of understanding regarding the importation of beef from animals not treated with certain growth-promoting hormones and increased duties applied by the United States to certain products of the European Union (2014).

A positive example of a negotiated solution between the European Union and the United States

Parliament welcomed this agreement with the US on the allocation of a share in the TRQ for high-quality beef as a solution to a longstanding trade dispute, as it sets a positive example of a negotiated solution between the EU and the US.

This agreement is to be seen in the light of the de-escalation of the trade tensions between the EU and the US agreed in the Joint US-EU Statement of 25 July 2018.

The resolution noted that the agreement does not affect current levels of market access for beef to the EU market and that the overall EU market access quota of non-hormone-treated beef must not be increased. It acknowledged that the agreement should not affect the technical characteristics of the quota, including the quality and traceability of products and that it does not affect the EU’s ban on imports of beef from animals treated with certain growth hormones.

In parallel to this resolution, Parliament adopted a legislative resolution in which it gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

Alleviate trade tensions

Member supported the Commission in its efforts to find a fair and balanced solution in order to dilute current trade tensions, including through this agreement while stressing the importance of setting this agreement apart from other ongoing trade negotiations between the US and the EU in which the agricultural sector should not be included.

Parliament recalled that the US, invoking national security concerns, imposed in March 2018 additional tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium, and is threatening to apply similar tariffs against the imports of motor vehicles and automotive parts from the EU.

The US imposed on 18 October 2019, in retaliation for illegal EU subsidies granted to the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, tariffs on USD 7.5 billion worth of EU imports, jeopardizing most of the EU agricultural sectors with tariff of 25 % rather than the industrial one, including aircraft with tariff of 10 %.

Members regretted the fact that the US has so far refused to work with the EU on a fair and balanced solution for our respective aircraft industries in the context of the long-standing Airbus/Boeing dispute. They also called on the US to start negotiations to resolve it.

While expressing its concern about the measures taken by the US which affect the European aviation sector and numerous agri-food products, Parliament called on the Commission to put in place support measures for European producers.

It also called on the US to revoke its unilateral additional tariffs on steel and aluminium, and olives, and to withdraw its threat to impose additional tariffs on cars and car parts.