The European Union has opted to delay the implementation of its first round of retaliatory tariffs against the United States, following recent threats by former President Donald Trump to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports. The tariffs, originally scheduled to go into effect on April 1 with a second wave planned for April 13, will now be postponed until mid-April, according to reporting from Reuters.
The planned EU countermeasures are valued at approximately $28 billion and include a 50% tariff on American whiskey, among other U.S. exports. The delay is expected to provide both sides with additional time to negotiate and potentially defuse tensions that have been mounting over transatlantic trade policy.
European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic explained the reasoning behind the delay during a Thursday hearing before the European Parliament. He stated that the European Commission is seeking to align the timing of both phases of the EU’s planned countermeasures. This coordination, Sefcovic said, will allow for broader consultation with EU member states and provide a longer negotiation window with U.S. officials.
American whiskey producers welcomed the EU’s decision. Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, called it “a very positive development” and said it offers hope that the 50% tariff might still be avoided. Swonger noted that American whiskey exports to the EU had increased significantly during the three-year suspension of earlier EU tariffs, benefitting U.S. distilleries and domestic agriculture. He urged both sides to reach an agreement that restores a zero-tariff environment for the spirits trade, which he described as a model of fair and reciprocal international commerce.
Tensions escalated earlier this month after the EU formally announced its intention to impose retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S. trade actions. In response, Trump issued a warning via Truth Social, threatening a 200% tariff on European wine, champagne, and other alcoholic beverages if the EU followed through. He stated that such a move would benefit U.S. wine and champagne producers.
🚨 BREAKING: Trump threatens a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne unless the 50% EU tariff on American whiskey is removed.
WOW. pic.twitter.com/oZO85ucZBY
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) March 13, 2025
In response to the ongoing exchange, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin described the EU’s decision to delay its tariff action as “sensible,” emphasizing the need for a strategic and measured response. Ireland is a key exporter of whiskey, and any retaliatory tariffs would directly impact Irish producers on American spirits.
Despite the temporary pause in the trade dispute, European officials have acknowledged that progress toward de-escalation remains limited. Commissioner Sefcovic remarked that the current U.S. approach favors tariff-based solutions over negotiations aimed at reducing trade barriers. He expressed hope that discussions could eventually shift toward reducing or eliminating tariffs but noted that such a shift does not appear imminent.
The European Union has just announced they’re delaying the retaliatory tariffs on the USA.
Anyone with a functioning brain knew this was going to happen.
The EU economy is entirely propped up by the USA.
Between our tourists and them exporting to us, they have NOTHING without… pic.twitter.com/pTdm3sYgb6
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) March 20, 2025
The standoff between the EU and the U.S. is part of a broader global trade environment marked by increasing protectionist measures and retaliatory actions. Steel and aluminum tariffs imposed under the Trump administration have remained in place through subsequent administrations, contributing to periodic flare-ups between the U.S. and key trading partners.
Trump blasts the Wall Street Journal as a mouthpiece for the EU, calling their thinking outdated and harmful to America.
He says the U.S. is winning—egg prices, oil, and interest rates are down, tariff revenue is surging, and there’s nothing to fear. pic.twitter.com/nSCgKEpuMp
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 13, 2025
With the delay pushing potential EU tariffs to mid-April, trade analysts and officials on both sides are watching closely to see whether diplomatic channels will yield progress. The coming weeks are expected to involve continued negotiations and further analysis of product categories that could be affected by the tariffs.
