EU delays tariffs on $4.9 billion of US goods set to hit by April 1

• The European Union announced Thursday it’s delaying plans to retaliate against President Donald Trump’s tariffs on European aluminum and steel until the middle of April. The EU had planned to implement retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, including a 50% tariff on whiskey on April 1.
• The EU now says it would move back its tariffs for “additional time for discussions.”
• The move comes as world leaders work to consider a response to the Trump administration’s “reciprocal” tariffs that the president has vowed to announce on April 2.

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The European Union (EU) announced on Thursday, March 20, it is delaying plans to retaliate against President Donald Trump’s tariffs on European aluminum and steel until the middle of April.

Why the delay?

The EU now says it would move back its tariffs for “additional discussions.”

The bloc considered reinstating 2018 tariffs on nearly $5 billion of U.S. on April 1, followed by more tariffs on $19 billion in U.S. goods.

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

When are the tariffs now set to take effect?

The commission then confirmed all EU retaliatory measures would take effect in mid-April.

The first set of retaliatory actions include a 50% tariff on whiskey. Trump promised to impose a 200% on all wines and other alcohol coming from the EU if the bloc goes ahead with the plan.

The Trump administration also says it plans “reciprocal” tariffs on April 2 to balance the world trading system.

The EU counter-measure pause could reportedly change some of the U.S. goods targeted.

Which countries are concerned?

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou expressed concern on Sunday that the EU was misguided in imposing a tariff on American whiskey and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned the EU on Tuesday against escalating the trade dispute with the United States.