The European Union will extend its suspension of countermeasures against US tariffs, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated during a press briefing on Tuesday. Her comments addressed the implications of former President Donald Trump’s letter announcing 30% tariffs on EU goods, effective the following day.
“We have always said we prefer a negotiated solution with the US on tariffs, and that remains the case,” von der Leyen declared. “At the same time, we continue to prepare countermeasures. We are therefore fully prepared.”
The Commission President revealed the EU has “drawn up a second list of potential countermeasures,” emphasizing, “We are not there yet. This is very important. It is not the time,” but added this demonstrates readiness “for all eventual scenarios.”
Meanwhile, the EU is formulating its response to Trump’s announcement. Permanent ambassadors of the 27 member states (Coreper) convened an urgent meeting in Brussels at 15:30 CET Tuesday afternoon. Key decisions under consideration involve potential countermeasures, which could be implemented in whole or in part as early as the beginning of next week.