The European Union (EU) has decided to postpone the retaliatory tariff against the United States, which was scheduled to automatically take effect on the 14th (local time), to early August.
According to AFP and the Associated Press on the 13th (local time), Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Chairperson, told reporters in Brussels, Belgium, that "the United States sent a letter containing measures to be implemented if solutions are not agreed upon," adding, "We will extend the postponement of the retaliatory measures until early August."
At the same time, Chairperson von der Leyen noted, "Now is the time to negotiate," and stated, "I have clearly communicated that I prefer negotiations to the Trump administration. We will make use of the time remaining until August 1."
Earlier, on the previous day, President Donald Trump posted a letter sent to Chairperson von der Leyen on the social network service (SNS) Truth Social, warning that the EU would impose a 30% reciprocal tariff starting August 1. In this regard, the EU has prepared a first retaliatory measure in response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. The primary retaliatory measure, which imposes an additional tariff of 10% or 25% on major U.S. imports valued at 21 billion euros (approximately 33.9 trillion won), was scheduled to automatically take effect on the 14th at 12 a.m.
However, in April, when President Trump suspended reciprocal tariffs for 90 days and U.S. negotiations began in earnest, the EU postponed the implementation of the first retaliatory measure against the U.S. for 90 days. Chairperson von der Leyen stated, "We will continue to prepare measures to respond fully."
EU ministers are scheduled to meet in Brussels on the 14th to discuss retaliatory measures. There has been ongoing debate within the EU regarding how strongly to respond to U.S. tariffs.
Lars Klingbeil, Germany's Minister of Finance, stated in an interview with the German media Suddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) that “serious and solution-oriented negotiations with the United States are still necessary,” but added, “if negotiations fail, strong retaliatory measures are required to protect jobs and corporations in Europe.”
Earlier, on the 12th, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, also urged the EU to "firmly safeguard European interests."