The European Commission (EC) wants to have a well-balanced list of goods from the United States on which it intends to impose higher tariffs and buy time for trade talks with Washington, so it is postponing the deadline for its countermeasures.
EC spokesmen explained at a briefing in Brussels on Friday that there are two complementary parts of the list of goods. One is due to enter into force on April 1, and the other in mid-April.
“This week, the (European) Commission decided to reconcile the schedule of its various countermeasures. This is because, by clarifying this schedule, it is possible to consult with member states on both lists. Secondly, it allows us to be more effective, to achieve a better balance between products, taking into account the interests of European producers, exporters, consumers,” said Olof Gill, the EC spokesman.
“And this allows us to have more time to discuss with the US administration. Let me remind you that our goal is to avoid customs duties that would harm everyone on both sides of the Atlantic. That’s why we are preparing for negotiations with the United States, trying to buy time to reach an agreement,” added Gill.
According to him, if these talks do not lead to a satisfactory result, there will be a “firm and targeted reaction” of the EU in response to the US measures in order to “reduce the negative consequences for Europe”.
“We will be ready to respond to any development,” the EC representative emphasized.
Earlier, EC President Ursula von der Leyen said that the postponement of the application of increased EU customs duties to a number of American goods is related to the search for the best consideration of the interests of the European side. “We have decided to clarify the time when our tariffs will take effect. This does not change the effect of our retaliatory measures. And this is important, because they reach 26 billion euros, which is the equivalent of $28 billion of potential US tariffs,” the EC President said at a press conference in Brussels on Friday night.
