A delegation of 16 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) plans to travel to Texas to meet with 12 US Congressmen and women during the 89th EU-US inter-parliamentary meeting on November 8 and 9, just three days after the US elections. The purpose of the trip is to establish initial contact with the new US government, regardless of whether Trump or Harris wins the election. The trip has gained a sense of urgency due to Trump’s threat to impose a 10% tariff on all European Union goods exported to the United States and his wavering support for Ukraine. The delegation, led by Italian MEP Brando Benifei, aims to defuse potential trade tensions in the event of a Trump victory.
The Italian MEP Benifei emphasized the importance of avoiding a trade war between the EU and the US, as it would be detrimental to both sides in the long term. He stressed the need for dialogue and collaboration to prevent an increase in tariffs. Fellow delegate MEP Željana Zovko, representing Croatia and the European People’s Party, raised concerns about the impact of Trump’s trade policies on China and the potential consequences for Europeans. She highlighted the EU’s efforts to diversify its trade relationships and reduce dependence on China through agreements with countries such as New Zealand, Chile, and Vietnam.
In the case of a Harris victory, discussions between the US and EU delegations may focus on easing remaining trade tensions, particularly regarding aluminium and steel. Negotiations have been ongoing since 2018 when Trump imposed tariffs on EU imports of these materials. While the Biden administration replaced these tariffs with quotas, the issue has not been fully resolved. The agenda of the trip also includes a working session on strengthening NATO’s defense capabilities and enhancing transatlantic security. Trump’s threat to withhold protection from NATO members who do not meet defense spending requirements will be a key topic of discussion, along with US support for Ukraine.
The delegation aims to continue the strong level of cooperation with Ukraine that has been achieved with the Biden administration and Republican congressmen. The importance of maintaining support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and territorial disputes will be a priority for the discussions between the EU and US delegations. The trip represents an opportunity for dialogue and collaboration between lawmakers on both sides of the Atlantic to address critical issues such as trade, defense, and security. It will also provide an early opportunity for the MEPs to engage with the new US government and establish relationships that will be crucial for future cooperation.
Overall, the upcoming EU-US inter-parliamentary meeting in Texas will serve as a critical forum for discussions on transatlantic relations, trade policies, and security issues. The delegation of MEPs from the European Parliament will seek to establish early contact with the new US government, regardless of the election outcome, in order to address potential trade tensions and reinforce cooperation on defense and security. Key topics of discussion will include ongoing negotiations over tariffs on aluminium and steel, as well as the importance of supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The outcome of these discussions will have a lasting impact on the relationship between the EU and the US, shaping future collaboration on a range of political and economic issues.
