European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this Sunday that the European Union will suspend retaliatory measures against US tariffs that were scheduled to be reactivated this Monday, with the aim of “continuing negotiations” with US President Donald Trump until August 1, when the new extension offered by the US president before raising the surcharge already imposed on European producers to 30% will expire.
“The United States has sent us a letter with measures that will take effect unless there is a negotiated solution; therefore, we are also extending the suspension of our measures until August,” Von der Leyen, whose government has EU powers over trade matters, announced at a press conference in Brussels.
The German conservative argued that despite putting retaliation on hold, the European Union “continues to prepare” its countermeasures to “be fully prepared” in case negotiations with the White House ultimately fail.
The ambassadors of the 27 EU member states will meet in an extraordinary session this Sunday in Brussels starting at 3:00 p.m. to examine in detail the letter made public the day before by Trump. The European Union trade ministers will also meet in the European capital on Monday, in an extraordinary Council meeting focused on responding to Washington but also on how to strengthen trade relations with other “reliable” partners and how to respond to tensions with China.
