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Šefčovič: EU may postpone retaliatory tariffs against the US until mid-April

by AI | 20.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic declared in the European Parliament that the EU is postponing the introduction of tariffs on US products until mid-April.

European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic announced that the EU has postponed tariffs on American products until mid-April. PHOTO: TASR/Jaromir Novak

Brussels – The European Union (EU) might postpone implementing the first set of countermeasures against the U.S. concerning President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum until mid-April, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič said on Thursday at the European Parliament, TASR reports.

The European Commission proposed re-imposing tariffs worth 4.5 billion euros on American products starting April 1, which would be followed by tariffs worth another 18 billion euros on American goods from April 13. The Slovak Commissioner confirmed this in an interview with TASR last week (March 12).

However, on Thursday, during the ongoing EU summit, where leaders also discussed the threats of a trade war with the U.S., he stated that the European Commission is now considering aligning the timing of these two sets of EU countermeasures.

“We want to consult with member states both lists simultaneously, which would also give us more time for negotiations with our American partners,” Šefčovič said during a hearing in the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee.

The first set of EU countermeasures includes a 50% tariff on American bourbon. Trump threatened retaliatory tariffs of 200% on all wine and other alcoholic products originating from EU countries if the eurozone implements this measure. Trump’s administration also plans to introduce additional tariffs from April 2. (March 20)