The European Union (EU) has announced a temporary suspension of its planned retaliatory tariffs in the trade war with the United States. The decision comes a day after EU member states approved the first countermeasures against the US and just hours after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of “reciprocal tariffs” for most trading partners.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that the step by the US side had been taken into account, adding: “We want to give negotiations a chance. We will suspend them for 90 days while we finalize the EU countermeasures adopted with the strong support of our member states,” she said. Von der Leyen also emphasized that if the negotiations are not satisfactory, these retaliatory tariffs will be put into effect. “The US tariffs are unfair and harmful, damaging both the economies of both sides and the global economy,” the EU Commission said in a statement. EU member states have approved tariffs ranging from 10 to 25 percent on a range of US products, including almonds, orange juice, poultry, soybeans, steel and aluminum, tobacco and yachts, in response to the 25 percent tariffs imposed by the US on steel and aluminum imports from Europe. Covering 21 billion euros (about $23 billion) worth of US products, these retaliatory tariffs were expected to gradually take effect from April 15. However, the plan was shelved for 90 days.
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202504/11/WS67f86d70a3104d9fd381eb35.html
