Donald Trump gave the EU, Canada, Mexico and other allies a second 30-day reprieve from the measures, which had been due to go into effect on Tuesday, Bloomberg reported.
EU members expressed relief that the US did not simply allow the previous exemption to expire, a scenario that governments had been braced for after talks with the Trump administration in recent days appeared to yield little result. In response, France, Germany and the EC decided to step up calls for permanent relief from the tariffs, with Brussels warning that it “will not negotiate under threat”.
The EU’s frustration continued over tariffs the U.S. has justified on national security grounds. Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel both made their case to Trump for why the EU bloc should get permanent and unconditional relief from the tariffs, partly arguing that they are America’s security partners.
The UK and British manufacturers and unions have spoken out about the potential damage for UK firms and jobs since the 25% tariff on steel and 10% tariff on aluminium were mooted by Donald Trump in March. Unite national officer Tony Brady said:
‘Trump is playing misguided games and it is clear the Prime Minister and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox now count for little in Washington.’
Trump tweeted Tuesday that there was “great potential” for the U.S. in addressing the trade disparities with other countries.
“Delegation heading to China to begin talks on the Massive Trade Deficit that has been created with our Country,” Trump said.
“Very much like North Korea, this should have been fixed years ago, not now. Same with other countries and NAFTA…but it will all get done,”
the American leader wrote.
