“We are now considering to align the timing of the two sets of EU countermeasures so we can consult member states on both lists simultaneously,” said the EU’s trade chief.
The European Union will delay imposing tariffs on US products – including bourbon whiskey and motorcycles – until mid-April to continue negotiations and avoid a trade war scenario, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said on Thursday.
In response to Washington’s blanket 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from 12 March, the European Commission had initially planned to reactivate 2018 tariffs on US goods from 1 April, alongside a new package of countermeasures scheduled for mid-April.
“We are now considering to align the timing of the two sets of EU countermeasures so we can consult member states on both lists simultaneously,” said Šefčovič at the European Parliament’s International Trade committee (INTA). This would also give the EU “extra time” for negotiations with Washington, he added.
If no agreement is reached, the EU will “recalibrate” its response, taking into account the new reciprocal tariffs that the Trump administration is set to impose on 2 April. Šefčovič said this approach ensures a “firm, proportionate, robust, and well-calibrated” response while maintaining EU unity and addressing the concerns of affected sectors.
Following the announcement of EU countermeasures, US President Trump threatened a 200% duty on EU wines and spirits unless whiskey was removed from the EU tariff list.
Yesterday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for “pragmatism” to avoid escalating trade tensions with the US, while France’s Francois Bayrou said last weekend that the EU was “probably mistaken” in setting a tariff on American bourbon.
Responding to concerns from MEPs – including Spain’s Cristina Maestre, France’s Céline Imart and Ireland’s Nina Carberry – about the impact on EU wine and spirits producers, Šefčovič said this was one of the reasons why the Commission had delayed the tariffs.
“We of course understand this concern, we spoke to the spirit industry, and therefore we merged the lists so we can have more consultations in this regard,” he explained, noting that the issue had also also been raised with his US counterpart, Howard Lutnick.
Commenting on the US’ reciprocal tariffs set for 2 April, Šefčovič said that details on which goods will be affected and at what rates are still unclear. But ongoing talks with the Trump administration are focusing on cars, chips, wood, steel, aluminium and pharmaceuticals.
During his visit to Washington, Šefčovič also took note of US complaints about EU restrictions on imports of lobster and shellfish.
A recent White House statement falsely claimed that the EU can export unlimited shellfish to the US, while American exporters face additional barriers.
