The EU welcomes the suspension of tariffs from Trump

European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen welcomed US President Donald Trump on Thursday to suspend most US tariffs, but she did not show whether or not the European Union would implement its vengeful measures.

« I have ordered their suspension for 90 days, » Trump said, after showing that more than 75 countries have been in trade talks and did not take revenge measures against the US to increase tariffs.

The places to which this suspension is now will now have a 10 percent fee. The tariff set on the EU was 20 percent, but it is not entirely clear how the 27-seat block will be affected.

The tariff suspension does not apply to China. Trump increased the tariff on Chinese imports to 125% late Wednesday.

Von der Leyen described the suspension of mutual tariffs as « an important step towards stabilizing the global economy.

« Clear and predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to work, » she said.

Prior to Trump’s announcement on Wednesday, EU member states voted to approve vengeance tariffs on US goods worth $ 23 billion in response to Trump’s 25 percent tariffs for steel and aluminum imported from the bloc.

The EU, the largest US trading partner, described them as « unreasonable and harmful ».

Tariffs will take effect at different stages, some on April 15, others on May 15 and December 1. The European Commission did not give any list of affected goods.

Von der Leyen did not sign on Thursday that the term of the EU tariffs on US goods has changed.

EU members-the world’s largest trade bloc, repeated their preference for a negotiated agreement to resolve trade issues, and Von Der Leyen emphasized this commitment, « with the aim of achieving a trade without obstacles and with mutual benefits ».

However, the Head of the EU Executive Branch, negotiating trade agreements and disputes on behalf of Member States-said Europe aims to have multiple trade partnerships.

She said the EU will continue to « engage with countries that make up 87% of global trade and share our attitude to a free and open exchange of goods, services and ideas », as well as to remove barriers to trade within its common market.

« Together, Europeans will come out stronger than this crisis, » said von der Leyen.