The European Parliament's trade committee is set to vote on March 19 on legislation implementing key elements of the 2025 EU-U.S. trade framework agreement after lead negotiators agreed to move ahead with the process, Politico reported on March 17. If approved, the text would then go to the European Parliament plenary on March 25-26 or in April, advancing parliament's position but not yet completing the legislative process, which would still require a final agreement with EU member states.

The ratification process is resuming despite fresh U.S. trade investigations opened on March 11 that could lead to additional tariffs on the European Union and other partners, adding to uncertainty created after the U.S. Supreme Court in February struck down much of President Donald Trump's earlier tariff regime. That ruling had prompted the European Parliament to freeze the agreement reached last July, even as U.S. officials said they intended to preserve the deal's 15% tariff ceiling. Lawmakers moved forward after adding language stating the accord will not take effect unless Washington complies with its terms, while pressure from member states and pro-trade lawmakers to provide greater certainty for businesses and stabilize transatlantic ties also helped revive the process. U.S. assurances that it would narrow the list of steel-related products facing high tariffs reportedly helped clear the way for the vote.