BRUSSELS: The European Union will suspend its two packages of counter-measures to US tariffs for six months following a deal with US President Donald Trump, a commission spokesman said today.
The EU-US agreement leaves many questions open, including tariff rates on spirits, and Trump’s executive order last week setting tariffs on most EU goods at 15% did not include carve-outs such as for cars and car parts.
EU officials have said they expect more executive orders to follow soon.
“The EU continues to work with the US to finalise a joint statement, as agreed on July 27,” the spokesman said in a statement.
“With these objectives in mind, the commission will take the necessary steps to suspend by six months the EU’s counter-measures against the US, which were due to enter into force on Aug 7.”
The retaliatory tariffs are in two parts: one in response to US steel and aluminium duties, and the other to Trump’s baseline and car tariffs.