On Thursday, the European Parliament voted in favor of the new trade agreement with the United States. The process has been postponed several times, not least because of President Donald Trump's threat to take over Greenland.
The EU's heads of state and government will have their say before everything is finalized.
The agreement involves 15 percent tariffs on most goods the EU exports to the US and the removal of tariffs in the other direction. The EU will also increase its investments on the other side of the Atlantic.
We included a couple of strong conditions, such as the sunset clause, said Roberta Metsola in connection with a question-and-answer session at the Norra Real school in Stockholm.
While we would prefer no tariffs at all, this is something we can work with. It creates predictability for our companies as they plan for this year and next year, and we hope that predictability will continue.
Threat of increased gas prices
The sunset clause means that the deal can be stopped if the US does not fulfill its part. The agreement would then expire on March 31, 2028.
Is it perfect? No. Do we have a better agreement than any other part of the world in this regard today? Yes, said Metsola.
When asked if she believes the United States can be trusted, the Speaker replied:
We'll see with this agreement. We'll see.
Recently, the US ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder, warned that gas supplies could become more expensive if the EU did not agree to the trade deal from last summer. Metsola does not want the EU to be seen as pressured by the US.
We clearly responded when the Greenland stakes came up in January that there was no possibility of us taking steps in this direction. And let's not forget that the US needs this agreement with us quite badly.
Contact with Congress
Despite the harsh words, Roberta Metsola still believes in a good relationship with the United States and she says she has good contact with her American counterparts in Congress.
I think the European Parliament realised that if we do not deliver once we have signed an agreement, what kind of message are we sending when we want to be the adults and the reliable partner?
Andrew Puzder welcomes Thursday's yes vote from Parliament in a statement.
"One of President Trump's top priorities is to rebalance the economic relationship between the United States and the European Union, the world's largest, worth $1.5 trillion in goods and services," he writes.
