After Trump's Pause Move, EU Puts Counter-Tariffs On Hold For 90 days

Last Updated:April 10, 2025, 16:22 IST

The European Commission paused counter-tariffs for 90 days after President Trump halted most US tariffs. EU President Ursula von der Leyen called it a step towards stabilizing the global economy.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. (Reuters File Image)

The European Commission will suspend a planned package of tariffs on US goods for 90 days “to give negotiations a chance", EU President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday after President Donald Trump’s temporarily halt on most US tariffs.

“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," the European Commission president said. “If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in."

Von der Leyen earlier described the halt on reciprocal tariffs as “an important step towards stabilizing the global economy. Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function."

“I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE," Trump said on Wednesday, 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.

China was not included. Trump further jacked up the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%.

Before Trump’s announcement on 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 U.S., described them as “unjustified and damaging."

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.

(With inputs from AP, AFP)

Brussels, Belgium

News world After Trump's Pause Move, EU Puts Counter-Tariffs On Hold For 90 days