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EU chief welcomes Trump’s tariff pause, silent on retaliatory plans AP Updated: April 10th, 2025, 13:34 IST in International 0 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on WhatsApp Share on Linkedin Brussels: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Thursday welcomed President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily halt most US tariffs, but she did not say whether the European Union intends to press ahead with its own retaliatory measures. “I have authorised a 90-day PAUSE,” Trump said, after recognising the more than 75 countries that he said have been negotiating on trade and had not retaliated against his latest increases in tariffs. Countries subject to the pause will now be tariffed at 10%.
The EU’s rate was 20%, but it was not entirely clear how the 27-nation bloc would be impacted. Also Read 90-day tariff pause for all but China 4 hours ago Hamas says 29 killed in Israeli strike on Eastern Gaza city 16 hours ago China was not included. Trump further jacked up the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%.
Von der Leyen described the halt on reciprocal tariffs as “an important step towards stabilising the global economy. Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function.” Before Trump’s announcement Wednesday, EU member countries voted to approve retaliatory tariffs on $23 billion in goods in response to his 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.
The EU, the largest trading partner of the US, described them as “unjustified and damaging.” The tariffs are set to go into effect in stages, some April 15 and others May 15 and Dec. 1.
The EU commission didn’t immediately provide a list of the goods. The bloc’s top trade official has shuttled between Brussels and Washington for weeks trying to head off a conflict. But Von der Leyen gave no sign that the EU’s timetable has changed.
Members of the EU – the world’s largest trading bloc – repeated their preference for a negotiated deal to settle trade issues, and von der Leyen underscored that commitment “with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade.” Still, the head of the EU’s executive branch – which negotiates trade deals and disputes on behalf of the member countries – said that Europe intends to diversify its trade partnerships. She said that the EU will continue “engaging with countries that account for 87% of global trade and share our commitment to a free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas,” and to lift barriers to commerce inside its own single market.
“Together, Europeans will emerge stronger from this crisis,” von der Leyen said. AP Tags: Donald Trump EU RETALIATION Ursula von der Leyen US tariff Share Tweet Send Share Suggest A Correction Enter your email to get our daily news in your inbox. Leave this field empty if you're human:.
