The European Union has paused its countermeasures against US tariffs to allow space for negotiations. This was announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week and takes effect tomorrow.
The decision, which suspends planned countermeasures against US tariffs on steel and aluminium for up to 90 days, follows a similar delay by the US. The suspension covers €21 billion of US exports.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is in Washington DC for talks to find a negotiated solution. Von der Leyen emphasized the EUs willingness to negotiate, but countermeasures will resume if talks are unsuccessful.
Besides this suspension, work on new countermeasures continues. The EU views US tariffs as unjustified and harmful.
Next steps
On 14 April, two legal acts were adopted: one imposes the countermeasures, the other suspends them until 14 July 2025.
- The first act imposes the EU countermeasures.
- The second suspends all measures until 14 July 2025.
Background
On 10 February 2025, the US announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium. Von der Leyen warned these tariffs are bad for business and consumers. These tariffs were implemented on 12 March.
The EU announced a proportional plan to impose countermeasures, preferring a negotiated solution. On 9 April, EU Member States approved the Commissions proposal.
On 9 April, the US announced a 90-day pause on tariffs, prompting the EU to suspend its countermeasures.
On 14 April, the Commission adopted two implementing acts - one to impose and another to suspend the EU countermeasures.
The first implementing act imposes the EU response:
- Calibrates 2018 measures by reducing the duty rate to a maximum of 25% and revising its scope.
- Introduces new countermeasures to address the expansion of US tariffs and increase on aluminium tariffs from 10% to 25%.
The second act suspends all measures until 14 July 2025.
For more information
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/778 of 14 April 2025
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/786 of 14 April 2025