EU delays retaliatory tariffs on US as trade tensions mount

The European Union has once again postponed its planned retaliatory tariffs on US exports, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Sunday, extending a suspension that was first introduced in March.

The countermeasures — originally scheduled to take effect on Tuesday — were in response to US President Donald Trump’s earlier tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports. The delayed EU tariffs, targeting €21 billion worth of American goods, will now remain on hold until early August.

Speaking at a press conference, von der Leyen confirmed that the pause was extended following a letter from President Trump warning of new 30% tariffs on EU imports beginning August 1. Trump further threatened that any EU retaliation would be met with even higher tariffs.

In a pre-recorded interview aired Saturday night on Fox News, Trump claimed the tariffs were bringing in "hundreds of billions of dollars," adding that some countries were now "very upset."

Von der Leyen emphasized that the EU is prioritizing diplomacy. “The United States has sent us a letter with measures that would come into effect unless there is a negotiated solution. We will therefore also extend the suspension of our countermeasures until early August,” she said.

“At the same time, we will continue to prepare for the countermeasures so we’re fully prepared. The EU has always been very clear that we prefer a negotiated solution — this remains the case.”

EU ministers to meet amid rising pressure

EU trade ministers are set to convene in Brussels on Monday to decide how firmly the bloc should respond to Washington’s escalating trade threats.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil on Sunday stressed the need for “serious and solution-oriented negotiations,” but warned that if talks collapse, the EU must implement “decisive countermeasures to protect jobs and businesses in Europe.”

“Our hand remains outstretched, but we won’t accept just anything,” Klingbeil told Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this stance over the weekend, urging the European Commission to “resolutely defend European interests.”

Wider tariff campaign expands

The Trump administration has now proposed tariff actions against 24 individual countries and the entire EU, which comprises 27 member states.

On April 12, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro unveiled an ambitious plan to finalize “90 deals in 90 days.” To date, preliminary agreements have been announced with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, while negotiations with other nations remain ongoing.