EU-US trade relations
Starting the day at 9.00, MEPs and Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis will discuss two legislative proposals implementing tariff aspects of the July 2025 Turnberry Agreement with the US. The deal would eliminate most tariffs on US industrial and agricultural goods. Nevertheless, should the US deviate from its commitments, the proposal contains safeguard clauses to protect EU interests. Parliament’s position on the two proposals will be put to a vote at 11.00. Rapporteur Bernd Lange (S&D, DE) is holding a press conference at 13.00.
Lieven COSIJN
(+32) 473 864 141
@EP Trade
Simpler rules on artificial intelligence and ban on nudification systems
MEPs will also be voting at 11.00 on their negotiating position on a Commission proposal to postpone certain rules for high-risk artificial intelligence (AI) systems. While supportive of the Commission, Parliament’s draft text proposes fixed dates to ensure legal certainty for companies. It also introduces a new ban on AI systems that create or manipulate sexually explicit images.
Janne OJAMO
(+32) 470 89 21 92
@EP_Justice
Yasmina YAKIMOVA
(+32) 470 88 10 60
@EP_SingleMarket
Immigrant returns policy
Plenary will decide at 11.00 whether to greenlight negotiations with EU member states on the proposed reform of EU returns policy. The proposal introduces new obligations for non-EU nationals to cooperate with return authorities and allows the detention of people for up to 24 months (or more under certain conditions) as well as the use of return hubs outside the EU. Three political groups have objected to the opening of interinstitutional talks.
Polona TEDESKO
(+32) 470 88 42 82
@EP_Justice
Water pollution
Following an agreement with Council last year, Parliament will adopt new measures at 11.00 this morning to reduce groundwater and surface water pollution and improve EU water quality standards. The new rules update the list of pollutants to be monitored, including PFAS (forever chemicals) and place a stronger focus on emerging concerns, such as microplastics and antimicrobial resistance indicators.
Dana POPP
(+32) 470 95 17 07
@EP_Environment
@EP_PublicHealth
Global Gateway
From around 10.00, MEPs and international partnerships commissioner Jozef Síkela will discuss the €300 billion Global Gateway initiative, the EU’s answer to China’s Belt and Road initiative. The draft report on which plenary will vote at 11.00 advocates increased transparency regarding origin of funding and demands an investigation into the reported involvement of Chinese companies in Global Gateway-funded projects.
Eoghan WALSH
(+32) 485 39 94 43
@EP_Development
In brief
Detection of child sexual abuse online. After interinstitutional negotiations ended without an agreement, MEPs will vote on Parliament’s first reading position on the proposed extension beyond 3 April 2026 of a derogation to privacy laws allowing the voluntary detection of child sexual abuse material online.
Bank failure and deposit protection toolset. Following yesterday’s plenary debate, at 11.00 Parliament will adopt new rules set out in three legislative proposals agreed with Council in November to ensure orderly market access for a broader range of banks.
New anti-corruption legislation. New EU rules on criminal and non-criminal penalties for various forms of corruption will be put to a vote at 11.00. A press conference with Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola, and rapporteur Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle (Renew, NL) will take place after the vote, at noon.
Support for workers made redundant in Belgium and Austria. Parliament will vote at 11.00 on two decisions to mobilise the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers. The decisions concern Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM and Belgian retail chain Casa International and Casa Logistics.
Votes
At 11.00, MEPs will also vote, among others, on:
- a recommendation on the United Nations convention on the international effects of judicial sales of ships;
- a recommendation on an EU-Lebanon agreement on scientific and technological cooperation;
- a recommendation regarding tariff quotas in the EU-China Agreement;
- two reports on requests for the waiver of the immunity of Grzegorz Braun (NI, PL) and one on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Nikos Pappas (The Left, EL).
Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS+.
For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.
Find more information regarding plenary.