July 13, 2025 – Brussels
The European Commission has decided to delay the implementation of retaliatory tariffs against the United States, originally scheduled for July 14, pushing the move to early August in hopes of reaching a negotiated settlement with the Trump administration.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Reuters that the EU remains committed to resolving the trade dispute diplomatically. The decision comes amid heightened tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 30% tariffs on European goods starting August 1.
Brussels had prepared countermeasures in response to Washington’s earlier tariff hikes on EU exports, but internal discussions—particularly pressure from Germany and other member states—led to the delay. According to Reuters, several governments voiced concern that retaliation at this stage could derail the fragile negotiations.
“We want to give diplomacy one more chance,” von der Leyen said, suggesting that the EU is willing to withhold action temporarily to keep talks alive.
The trade dispute, rooted in disagreements over digital services taxes and subsidies, has escalated in recent months, raising fears of a broader transatlantic economic rift.
Whether a deal can be reached before the August 1 deadline remains uncertain.
