English cross over new European tariff, it's clear (9)
I believe the answer is:
exonerate
'it's clear' is the definition.
(to clear of criminal charges)
'english cross over new european tariff' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'cross' becomes 'x' (X is cross-shaped).
'over new european' becomes 'one' (this could be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'tariff' becomes 'rate' (I've seen this before).
'e'+'x'+'one'+'rate'='EXONERATE'
(Other definitions for exonerate that I've seen before include "Free from obligation, blame" , "free of charge" , "Declare to be free from blame" , "Discharge" , "Excuse" .)