The European Commission announced on 9 April 2025 that its proposal to implement trade countermeasures against the US had received approval from EU Member States.

The Commission’s proposal was made in response to the US decision in March to impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium from the EU.

However, yesterday, 10 April 2025,  European Commission President von der Leyen announced that the countermeasures would be temporarily suspended for 90 days. This decision came in response to US President Trump’s 90-day pause on increased reciprocal tariffs.

“We took note of the announcement by President Trump. We want to give negotiations a chance. While finalising the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our Member States, we will put them on hold for 90 days. If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in. Preparatory work on further countermeasures continues. As I have said before, all options remain on the table,” she said.

The EU considers US tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy. The EU has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the US, which would be balanced and mutually beneficial.

The vote of approval by Member States meant that—once the Commission’s internal procedures concluded and the implementing act published—the countermeasures would enter into force. Duties would start being collected as of 15 April 2025.

This follows after Trump signed an executive order on 2 April 2025, which imposed a 10% baseline tariff on imports from all countries.