A European Union spokesperson told CNBC on Thursday that the EU would delay implementing retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. until mid-April. The spokesperson said the delay would provide negotiators with more time to discuss solutions other than retaliatory tariffs.
The EU originally planned two sets of retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. The spokesperson said the delay adjusts the retaliatory tariff deadline slightly but does not diminish the response.
Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s commissioner for trade and economic security, said Thursday that discussions with the U.S. would continue.
“I have been entrusted by President von der Leyen to continue talks to try to find a solution with the U.S.,” he said, according to a written version of his remarks at the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee.
Sefcovic said he was engaging with U.S. counterparts while the EU prepared retaliatory measures. President Donald Trump has said he will implement reciprocal tariffs on countries worldwide on April 2.
“On 2 April, we will need to assess the action taken by the U.S.,” Sefcovic said, “and keep a flexible approach so as to calibrate our response accordingly.”
