The European Union has suspended retaliatory tariffs on the USA for 90 days

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated on Thursday that the EU will suspend the imposition of retaliatory tariffs on the USA for 90 days. “We want to give negotiations a chance,” she emphasized. This is a response to the suspension of tariffs for the same period by President Donald Trump.

On Wednesday, EU countries almost unanimously (only Hungary opposed) supported the introduction of retaliatory tariffs against the USA in response to tariffs previously imposed on steel and aluminum from the EU. On the same day, President Trump announced an immediate 90-day suspension of the increased tariffs. According to the European Commission, however, American tariffs on cars and so-called reciprocal tariffs still apply.

In response to Trump’s suspension of tariffs, the European Commission decided to suspend retaliatory tariffs for 90 days. “We have taken note of President Trump’s statement. We want to give negotiations a chance,” von der Leyen emphasized in a statement.

However, she added that if negotiations with the USA are not satisfactory, the tariffs will come into effect. She also stressed that the decision to impose tariffs has strong support from member states.

Von der Leyen also assured that work is ongoing on further tariffs. The list of goods from the USA approved on Wednesday by member states, for which tariffs will be suspended for 90 days, is a response to American tariffs on steel and aluminum; the EU was also ready to respond to tariffs on cars and so-called reciprocal tariffs (only the latter, according to the European Commission, were suspended by Trump on Wednesday).

“All options remain on the table,” declared the head of the European Commission.

Early in the afternoon in Brussels, spokespersons for the European Commission answered questions from journalists who wanted to know why von der Leyen made such a decision, since the EU’s retaliatory tariffs were supposed to be a response to American tariffs on steel and aluminum, which Washington has not abandoned.

European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill explained that the Commission is aware that Americans have not suspended tariffs on steel and aluminum, as well as on cars, but it was decided to suspend retaliatory tariffs to encourage the American side to negotiate.

“Currently, we do not intend to take any further steps, as we want to leave room for negotiations,” the spokesperson added.

At the same time, he informed that there are currently no planned talks with the USA regarding trade. The European Commission plans further consultations with EU countries and the European industry.

“We will use this time for reflection, analysis, discussions with our member states, discussions with our industry, to present the best and most coherent strategy for protecting consumers, industry, and the countries of the European Union,” the spokesperson said when asked about the next steps of the European Commission.

Earlier, the European Commission also proposed to the US authorities mutual zero tariffs on cars and all industrial goods.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced an immediate 90-day suspension of increased tariffs for other countries; only the previously introduced rate of 10 percent will apply. At the same time, he announced that he would raise tariffs on goods from China to 125 percent.

The authorities in Beijing imposed an 84 percent tariff on all products imported from the USA, added to the existing tariffs, in retaliation for the earlier increase in rates by Washington. It is currently unknown whether China intends to respond to the increase in American tariffs to 125 percent. (04.11.2025)