EU SET TO HALT US TRADE DEAL APPROVAL OVER TRUMP TARIFF RISK The European Union is set to pause approval of its trade deal with the US, seeking clarity on new tariffs introduced by Donald Trump after a court ruling limited his earlier tariff powers. Major groups in the European Parliament will halt work on ratification, with leaders arguing they need more details before moving forward. Trade committee head Bernd Lange has called an emergency meeting, while EU ambassadors will also review the situation. Markets reacted negatively, with the Stoxx Europe 600 slipping. Trump’s revised tariff plan—raising a global rate from 10% to 15%—has created uncertainty among US trading partners. The EU had hoped the deal would avoid a trade war, despite terms that include a 15% tariff on most EU exports and 50% duties on steel and aluminum. This is the second time lawmakers have frozen the process, following earlier tensions over Trump’s Greenland remarks. Approval had been targeted for March, but remains uncertain pending further negotiations.(*Walter Bloomberg)