EU gives Trump window for talks, suspending tariffs for 90 days
Photo: Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The EU suspends for 90 days the 25% tariffs agreed upon as a response to US tariffs on steel and cars. Brussels is ready for talks, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"We want to give negotiations a chance. If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in," she warned.
Von der Leyen added: "Preparatory work on further countermeasures continues. As I have said before, all options remain on the table."
EU representative Olof Gill said that the US has suspended the so-called reciprocal tariffs for 90 days. "And we, in turn, are now pausing our proposed countermeasures in order that we have the maximum space to consult with our member states, consult with our industry and negotiate with the US," he said.
He acknowledged that the US tariffs on steel and aluminum now apply to the EU as well as the rest of the world.
"And yes, the car tariffs are in place. But we are not going to take any further steps right now, because we want to leave space for negotiation. We want to talk to our American counterparts," he added.
According to him, the member states have given the European Commission a mandate to impose tariffs against the United States. "That’s not, that doesn’t mean it has automatically happened. They’ve simply given us a mandate to do it," Gill said.
On April 9, the EU approved duties on goods from the United States worth about 21 billion euros. They were a response to Trump's 25% tariff on steel and aluminum supplies from the EU.
On the same day, Trump canceled the so-called reciprocal tariffs for the EU at 20%. Now the rate will be 10%.
