Europe suspends counter-tariffs for 90 days after Trump’s reversal
The European Union will suspend its first round of retaliatory tariffs against the US to ‘give negotiations a chance’.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen the bloc would suspend a planned package of tariffs on US goods “to give negotiations a chance” after President Donald Trump’s U-turn on massive duties.
The 27-nation bloc had on Wednesday greenlit its first measures targeting US products, in retaliation for duties on steel and aluminium exports. It had yet to announce a response to Trump’s universal tariffs — now paused for 90 days.
“While finalising the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our Member States, we will put them on hold for 90 days,” the European Commission president said.
“If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in.”
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said later on Thursday, local time, that he spoke to his US counterparts, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
“Another call … as we’re set to suspend EU countermeasures and enter meaningful negotiations. Constant communication and daily updates keep us moving forward,” he said on X.
The EU measures approved Wednesday would target nearly €21 billion ($38bn) worth of US products including soybeans, motorcycles and beauty products.
The bloc is still working on its response to Mr Trump’s universal tariffs — which hit the EU at a rate of 20 per cent — and the ones imposed on the auto sector, and Ms von der Leyen stressed that “preparatory work on further countermeasures continues”.
“All options remain on the table,” she said.
Brussels has made it clear however it would prefer to avoid retaliation.
In an earlier statement, the commission chief welcomed Mr Trump’s decision to pause his planned tariffs as an “important step towards stabilising the global economy”.
She said the EU “remains committed to constructive negotiations with the United States,” and reiterated the bloc’s offer of a bilateral tariff exemption for cars and other industrial goods
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