Turnberry agreement put on hold indefinitely
Members of the European Parliament on Wednesday blocked a planned vote to approve a US-European trade deal, effectively freezing progress on the agreement as tensions with Washington escalate. Lawmakers cited growing concerns over sovereignty and territorial integrity following renewed threats by President Donald Trump toward Greenland and Denmark.
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, said the situation made further cooperation impossible for now. He described the deal as “on ice indefinitely,” adding that the current political climate ruled out business as usual.
Greenland dispute triggers political backlash
The decision follows continued statements by President Trump suggesting the United States could seek control over Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Lawmakers also pointed to Trump’s announcement of a new 10% import tax on countries opposing his foreign policy objectives.
In a statement, the European Parliament said the escalating rhetoric and tariff threats left it with no alternative but to suspend work on the legislative proposals linked to the deal until the US signals a willingness to return to cooperation rather than confrontation.
Background on the Turnberry Deal
The trade framework, known as the Turnberry Deal, was first outlined in July when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Trump at his golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland. The preliminary agreement was designed to ease transatlantic trade tensions and provide predictability on tariffs.
Under the framework, tariffs on European goods entering the US would be capped at 15%, protecting key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors from steeper duties that had previously been threatened.
Major economic commitments at stake
The agreement included significant economic pledges from the European Union. These commitments involved investing $600 billion in the US economy by 2028, purchasing $750 billion worth of American energy, procuring $40 billion in US-made semiconductors and increasing defense-related purchases.
A joint EU statement previously described the framework as a way to place one of the world’s largest trade and investment relationships on a more stable foundation while supporting reindustrialization on both sides of the Atlantic.
Uncertain path forward
For now, the future of the trade deal remains unclear. European lawmakers say progress will depend on a shift in US policy toward its European allies and an end to what they view as coercive tactics involving tariffs and territorial threats.
Until then, the legislative process surrounding the Turnberry Deal is effectively paused, underscoring the fragile state of transatlantic relations.
