Crossword Genius

Inevitable European tax not binding (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

necessary

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'inevitable' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'european tax not binding' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'european' could be 'e' (abbreviation e.g. EU) and 'e' is located in the answer.
'tax' could be 'cess' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'cess' is found in the answer.
'not' could be 'nary' (I've seen this before) and 'nary' is found in the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for necessary that I've seen before include "Essential or unavoidable" , "Essential, as scenery may be" , "Needful" , "Vital" , "Requisite" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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