The European Commission has also decided to suspend the tariffs approved yesterday on the United States for 90 days. After US President Donald Trump declared a truce for the same period of months yesterday, Brussels has decided to use the next three months to attempt negotiations.
"We take note of President Trump's announcement. We want to give negotiations a chance. Although we are finalizing the adoption of the EU's countermeasures, which received strong support from our member states, we will suspend them for 90 days," announced the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
But if "negotiations are not satisfactory," Von der Leyen added, the "countermeasures will come into effect." "Preparatory work on new countermeasures continues," added the head of the European executive.
Von der Leyen's announcement comes after she welcomed Trump's announcement yesterday afternoon as "satisfactory," and she anticipated that it is ""an important step towards stabilizing the global economy."
Trump's U-turn, forced by market pressure, has completely changed the context. The Commission now sees a clear opportunity for negotiation, which is what they have always wanted, and Von der Leyen has once again taken the opportunity to emphasize the offer of "zero tariffs on both sides."
This is something that the Commissioner for Trade, Maros Sefcovic, offered to the United States in the first negotiation between both parties in February. It has been reiterated since, as revealed by Von der Leyen this week. And that remains the EU's objective, which previously seemed almost impossible given Trump's statements and now seems at least possible. That is Brussels' understanding, whether the magnate truly thinks the same is another matter.