The European Commission has approved a new suspension of the commercial rebalancing measures concerning the United States, applicable to certain products imported into the European Union and to certain goods exported from the EU to the US market.
The measure is set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1893 of 30 July 2026, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 31 July. The suspension applies from 7 August 2026.
Suspension of commercial rebalancing measures concerning the United States
The new Regulation suspends the application of Articles 1, 2 and 3 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1564.
These provisions established different EU commercial response measures in relation to measures adopted by the United States, including:
- The suspension of certain trade obligations of the Union under the GATT.
- The application of additional customs duties on certain products originating in the United States.
- The prohibition on exporting from the Union to the United States certain goods listed in the annexes to the Regulation.
The suspension therefore affects both measures relating to imports from the United States and certain restrictions that had been planned for EU exports.
Why were the rebalancing measures adopted?
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1564 established response measures in relation to different additional duties introduced by the United States.
The US measures affected, among others, the following sectors:
- Steel and aluminium products.
- Steel and aluminium derivative products.
- Passenger vehicles and light trucks.
- Certain automobile parts and components.
- Aluminium cans.
- Agricultural and fishery products.
- Other industrial goods.
In response, the European Union provided for the application of additional customs duties on a wide range of products originating in the United States, as well as export restrictions on certain EU goods.
The suspension applies from 7 August 2026
The rebalancing measures had already been suspended on two previous occasions.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1727 established a first six-month suspension from 6 August 2025. Subsequently, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/295 extended the suspension for a further six months from 7 February 2026.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1893 now maintains the suspension from 7 August 2026. Unlike the previous suspensions, the new text does not expressly establish a specific end date.
Trade agreement between the European Union and the United States
The decision forms part of the evolving trade relationship between the European Union and the United States.
On 27 July 2025, both parties reached a political agreement, which was subsequently confirmed by a Joint Statement on 21 August 2025. The agreement included, among other aspects, tariff relief for certain EU imports into the United States.
In June 2026, the Union also adopted Regulations (EU) 2026/1455 and (EU) 2026/1461, through which it implemented certain commitments relating to the reduction of customs duties on goods originating in the United States.
The Commission considers that maintaining the suspension contributes to ensuring the continued implementation of the trade framework agreed between both parties.
What does the suspension mean for importers?
As from 7 August 2026, the additional customs duties provided for in the suspended articles of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1564 do not apply.
For importers of goods originating in the United States, this means that the affected operations will not be subject to the rebalancing tariff surcharges established in that Regulation while the suspension remains in force.
However, companies should continue to review each operation individually, including:
- The tariff classification of the goods.
- The declared non-preferential origin.
- Whether the product is included in the annexes to Regulation 2025/1564.
- The date of acceptance of the customs declaration.
- The possible application of other tariff or commercial policy measures.
- Any subsequent changes that may be adopted by the European Commission.
The suspension only affects the rebalancing measures provided for in Regulation 2025/1564. It does not remove any other duties, restrictions or controls that may apply.
Effects for EU exporters
The measure also suspends the prohibition on exporting to the United States certain products originating in the Union and listed in Annex XIV to Regulation 2025/1564.
Therefore, while the suspension remains in force, the export restrictions provided for in Article 3 of that Regulation will not apply.
Exporting companies should nevertheless continue to review:
- The tariff classification of the product.
- Its possible inclusion in export control regimes.
- The trade measures currently in force in the United States.
- The documentary and regulatory requirements applicable at destination.
- The contractual conditions related to tariff changes.
The Commission may reactivate or modify the measures
The European Commission will keep the suspension under continuous review and may adopt further measures if it considers this necessary to defend the interests of the Union.
The Regulation also states that the suspension is without prejudice to the European Union’s position on the US measures. The EU maintains that certain US safeguard measures remain incompatible with the rules of the World Trade Organization.
For this reason, companies trading with the United States should continue to monitor developments in the trade relationship between both parties and verify the applicable legislation before carrying out new operations.
Customs advisory services for EU-US operations
The suspension temporarily reduces the impact of the rebalancing measures on affected imports and exports, but it does not remove the need for prior customs analysis.
Arola’s Customs Department can review tariff classification, origin, applicable duties and any commercial policy measures related to trade operations between the European Union and the United States.
