The agreement reached by the two EU co-legislators strengthens several elements of the Commission proposals.

Sunset clause

The main regulation on industrial and agri-food imports will expire on 31 December 2029. Before this date, the Commission will make a comprehensive assessment of its trade effects on EU industry, agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises, and of changes in trade patterns with third countries. The Commission may present a legislative proposal to extend the regulation’s duration.

Steel and aluminium derivatives

In August 2025, the US added 407 product categories to the list of derivative steel and aluminium products subject to tariffs. Parliament considered that these new tariffs increased the level of trade instability and pushed for this issue to be addressed in the main regulation.

The Commission will be able to suspend tariff preferences if by 31 December 2026 the US continues to apply a tariff rate higher than 15 percent on EU steel and…