EU–US trade framework: developments on US tariff measures

Posted on 05.03.2026

On 20 February 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not provide legal authority to impose tariffs. The US Administration subsequently introduced 10% global tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Section 122 provides a legal basis for temporary tariff measures, limited to 150 days (until late July 2026), applied on a non-discriminatory basis and without country-specific exemptions. The introduction of a uniform tariff under Section 122 has implications for the operation of the EU–US framework, including its agreed tariff levels, product coverage and underlying structure.

EU institutions are assessing how these measures relate to the commitments agreed between the EU and the United States. In parallel, the European Parliament has paused its approval process and is seeking clarification on the scope, duration, and legal basis of the measures, as well as their compatibility with the agreed commitments.

For the medical technology sector, these developments are of particular relevance given the high level of transatlantic integration and the role of predictable conditions in supporting supply chains.

MedTech Europe continues to engage with policymakers and stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic to support a stable and predictable transatlantic environment.