EU Pauses Countermeasures on US Tariffs for 90 Days to Allow Room for Negotiations
Brussels/Washington, April 10, 2025:
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday announced that the European Union will suspend its countermeasures against U.S. tariffs for 90 days, aiming to create space for diplomatic negotiations and avoid further escalation in transatlantic trade tensions.
“We took note of the announcement by President Trump. We want to give negotiations a chance,” von der Leyen said in a statement posted on X. “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.”
She further cautioned that if negotiations do not yield satisfactory outcomes, the EU is prepared to enforce its countermeasures, stating, “Preparatory work on further countermeasures continues. As I have said before, all options remain on the table.”
The move follows an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who declared a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for over 75 countries currently engaged in trade talks with Washington, including India. Trump emphasized that these nations had chosen not to retaliate against recent U.S. trade measures and instead sought engagement through official channels such as the Department of Commerce, Treasury, and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
In her post, von der Leyen welcomed Trump’s decision, calling it a positive step toward stabilising the global economy. “Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function. Tariffs are taxes that only hurt businesses and consumers,” she said, reiterating her support for a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the EU and the U.S.
However, tensions remain high as the U.S.–China trade conflict intensifies. On the same day, Trump announced a sharp escalation in tariffs on Chinese goods, raising the rate to 125%, citing China’s “lack of respect” for global markets. In response, China imposed a steep 84% import levy on American goods.
While the EU-U.S. move signals a willingness to de-escalate and pursue dialogue, the broader global trade environment remains volatile, with markets closely watching the outcomes of the ongoing negotiations.
