The European Union has announced a postponement in the implementation of its first set of tariffs on goods imported from the United States. Initially scheduled to take effect sooner, this delay pushes the timeline to the middle of April. The information was provided by an EU spokesperson, who shared this development with CNBC on Thursday.
The decision to delay the tariffs comes as the EU aligns the timing of its countermeasures against U.S. tariffs on EU steel and aluminum. The EU spokesperson explained to CNBC that this rescheduling is a strategic move.
"The Commission has decided to align the timing of the two sets of EU countermeasures against US 232 tariffs on EU steel and aluminum," the EU spokesperson stated.
This adjustment does not signify a reduction in the EU's response or its intended impact. The spokesperson emphasized that the EU is steadfast in its preparations for potential retaliation measures amounting to up to EUR 26 billion.
"The change represents a slight adjustment to the timeline and does not diminish the impact of our response, in particular as the EU continues to prepare for retaliation of up to EUR 26 billion," said the spokesperson.
The delay in implementing these tariffs reflects ongoing diplomatic considerations and strategic planning by the EU. CNBC's Silvia Amaro contributed to the report, highlighting the nuances of this development and its implications for EU-U.S. trade relations.