Anna Nekrashevich
The European Union may postpone the implementation of its initial set of counter-measures against the United States in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum until mid-April, as stated by European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic on Thursday.
The European Commission had suggested reinstating tariffs on US products valued at 4.5 billion euros ($4.9 billion) starting April 1, followed by additional tariffs on another 18 billion euros worth of US goods on April 13.
Sefcovic mentioned during a hearing at the European Parliament, “We are currently evaluating the possibility of synchronizing the timing of the two sets of EU counter-measures, allowing us to consult with member states on both lists at the same time, which would also provide us with additional time for negotiations with our American counterparts.”
The initial set of EU counter-measures includes a proposed 50 percent tariff on US bourbon. In response, Trump has threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on all wines and other alcoholic beverages imported from the EU if these measures proceed.
Additionally, the Trump administration is expected to announce further tariffs on April 2. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou remarked on Sunday that the EU might be making an error by targeting American whiskey, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni advised EU partners on Tuesday to avoid escalating the trade conflict with the United States.
“I am not convinced that responding to tariffs with additional tariffs is necessarily a wise strategy,” Meloni, who has close ties to Trump, stated.
