The EU is delaying by two weeks its first set of planned tariffs on a range of U.S. goods to give more time for talks as Brussels tries to talk Washington down from a trade war. The tariffs will now take effect in mid-April.
European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic told a European Parliament hearing on Thursday that the change in timing was under consideration. The change was later confirmed by the European Commission.
Why it Matters
U.S. President Donald Trump reignited the trade war he started in his first term, and the EU is one of his biggest targets. He believes the EU treats the U.S. unfairly on trade and wants better access to its single market for American firms.
But Trump’s tariffs war, which extends far beyond the EU, is spooking markets and hurting confidence in the economy, threatening to push the global economy into recession.
The battle with Europe also comes at a time of strained transatlantic relations, with tensions over Ukraine and the future of NATO.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
What to Know
Trump imposed steel and aluminum tariffs in March on the EU and others. The EU responded in kind with metals tariffs due from mid-April.
But the bloc also resurrected a list of American goods from the previous trade war with Trump in 2018 and 2020 that it said would now face tariffs too, these from the start of April.
The tariffs will cover U.S. goods such as leather products, plastics, and household tools. Agricultural items including poultry, beef, seafood, nuts, sugar and vegetables will also be affected.
Trump responded by threatening a 200 percent tariff on all alcohol products coming out of the EU, including French wine. He has also promised “reciprocal” tariffs around the world starting April 2, the centerpiece of his strategy on trade.
What People Are Saying
Sefcovic said timing all of the EU’s tariffs for mid-April “would allow us to deliver a firm, proportionate, robust and well-calibrated response to the US measures” while giving more time “to continue talks to try to find a solution with the US.”
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called the European response to Trump’s metals tariffs “disrespectful” and that he was “totally annoyed.”
“The president has made it crystal clear that he finds this tit-for-tat really abusive and aggravating,” Lutnick told Bloomberg TV last Thursday.
“His objective is steel and aluminum tariffs. Let him build his steel and aluminum business in America because that’s important.”
Lutnick added: “He cares about America and he wants to take care of Americans. Why are Europeans picking on Kentucky bourbon or Harley-Davidson motorcycles? It’s disrespectful.”
What’s Next
The Trump Administration has said that the April 2 reciprocal tariffs are coming no matter what. It remains to be seen if there is still enough time for the EU to strike a new tariffs-averting deal with Trump.
Update 03/20/25 1:23 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
