EU Delays Tariffs On America To Allow More Time For Negotiation With Trump

The European Union has postponed its decision to impose tariffs on U.S. exports leading into mid-April, allowing additional time to reassess their strategy and determine what goods will be impacted. 

Earlier this year, the European Commission agreed to reinstate tariffs from 2018 that would impact up to 4.5 billion euros (roughly $4.9 billion dollars) worth of American merchandise, with plans to expand this to 18 billion euros by April 13. (RELATED: Eurocrats Launch Retaliatory Tariffs On Billions Worth Of US Goods) 

The EU’s decision to enact the tariffs against the United States served as retaliation against President Donald Trump after he imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from all U.S. trading partners. The initial set of tariffs the EU had planned to impose included a 50% tariff on American bourbon.

BREAKING: The EU just announced retaliatory tariffs on $28 billion in American products, matching President Trump’s 25% tariff on steel and aluminum.

“Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business and worse for consumers. They are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty… pic.twitter.com/BckRVWdnVZ

— George (@BehizyTweets) March 12, 2025

Canada has also followed the EU’s lead in imposing retaliatory tariffs on the United States by placing 25% reciprocal tariffs on steel products, and raising taxes on items including tools, computers and servers, display monitors, sports equipment, and cast-iron products.

Trump imposed a counter tariff of 200% on European alcohol, while also doubling the existing 25% tariff on Canadian metal. (RELATED: ‘Trump Will Not Relent’: Economist Steve Moore Warns Countries Making ‘Huge Mistake’ By Fighting President On Tariffs)

While many foreign leaders celebrated the continuation of the tariff war against the United States, others remained uncertain of its possible negative implications.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that she is “not certain that responding to tariffs with more tariffs is necessarily a good deal.”

Shortly after announcing retaliatory tariffs on the United States, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said “we deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. “

Additionally, European Trade Commissioner Marcos Sefcovic told the European Parliament “we are now considering to align the timing of the two sets of EU counter-measures so we can consult with member states on both lists simultaneously, and this would also give us extra time for negotiations with our American partners.”

Irish Taoiseach Michael Martin said pushing back the tariffs would give them time to “wisely and strategically respond.”