Trump Signs Order to Ease Federal Marijuana Rules, Signaling Major Policy Shift 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Trump Administration Proposes Sweeping Limits on Gender-Affirming Care for Children 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
NSW to Recall Parliament for Urgent Gun and Protest Law Reforms After Bondi Beach Shooting 
Republicans Raise National Security Concerns Over Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools 
Federal Appeals Court Allows Trump’s National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C. to Continue 
Argentina Unions Rally Against Milei’s Labor Reform as Congress Debates Key Bill 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Italy Supreme Court Upholds Salvini Acquittal in Migrant Kidnapping Case 
Barham Salih Elected as Next UN High Commissioner for Refugees 
Honduras Election Recount Delayed Amid Protests and Political Tensions 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
U.S. Senators Move Toward Deal to Strengthen Military Helicopter Safety Rules 
U.S. House Advances GOP Healthcare Bill as ACA Subsidies Near Expiration 
Dan Bongino to Step Down as FBI Deputy Director After Brief, Controversial Tenure 
The European Union is considering extending a deal that grants U.S. lobsters duty-free access, aiming to ease trade tensions with Washington and potentially avoid further tariffs. According to the Financial Times, which cited two EU officials, the lobster agreement—originally reached in 2020 during former President Donald Trump’s term—is set to expire on July 31.
The deal, which eliminated EU customs duties on fresh and frozen American lobsters, was seen as a goodwill gesture to de-escalate broader trade disputes. Although the lobster trade is economically modest, EU officials believe it played a key role in reducing U.S. tariffs at the time.
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee, supports the extension, stating that the deal helped ease tensions with the U.S. administration. However, the situation remains complex, as the EU still faces significant U.S. tariffs—25% on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, and 10% on most other goods. These levies could increase to 20% after a temporary 90-day pause on new U.S. tariffs ends on July 8.
In response, the European Commission has proposed countermeasures on up to €95 billion ($107.6 billion) worth of U.S. goods if ongoing negotiations fail. Despite the escalating rhetoric, the EU has consistently emphasized its preference for a negotiated resolution over retaliatory tariffs.
The European Commission has declined to publicly comment on the FT report and did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment outside business hours. As trade talks continue, the future of the U.S.-EU lobster agreement may serve as a bellwether for broader transatlantic economic cooperation.
