EU postpones retaliatory duties on US goods until mid-April

Brussels seeks to minimize the negative effects of the trade conflict on the economy

The European Union (EU) has postponed the introduction of duties on goods from the United States in response to the decision of the Donald Trump administration to impose a 25% duty on steel and aluminum imports. Initially, the EU planned to introduce measures worth about €26 billion in two stages – on April 1 and April 13, but now both stages have been postponed to April 13, FP reports.

According to European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič, this will allow the EU to study the effects of US duties in more detail and agree on a list of goods that will be subject to restrictions. The first package includes goods that have already been subject to duties in 2018-2020, including bourbon, motorcycles, and boats. The second package includes new items, as this time the US duties are broader in scope and affect a larger volume of trade.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that the EU is against the introduction of duties, as they harm both consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

At the same time, the US is investigating imports of copper and wood, which could lead to new duties on European goods. Washington is also considering restrictions on shipbuilding, which could affect European manufacturers.

The EU is trying to find a compromise and avoid a full-fledged trade war. Postponing the measures will allow for additional negotiations with the US side and a mutually beneficial solution.

According to EUROFER, the European steel association, the 25% tariffs on all steel imports imposed by the US administration worsen the already terrible market environment for the European steel industry and pose a real threat to its future.

The industry expects the EU to respond with an effective revision of its steel safeguard measures, which will mitigate the impact of the US tariffs and ensure the long-term viability of the industry.

As GMK Center reported earlier, on March 12, 2025, US tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum in the amount of 25% came into effect. The European Commission has announced that it will impose counter-tariffs on US products worth €26 billion starting in April.