EU suspends counter-tariffs for 90 days after US U-turn

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday that the bloc would put planned tariffs on US goods on hold "to give negotiations a chance" after President Donald Trump's U-turn on massive duties.

The 27-nation bloc on Wednesday approved its first measures targeting US products, in retaliation for duties on steel and aluminium exports. It had yet to announce a response to Trump's universal tariffs -- which he has now paused for 90 days.

EU trade Chief Maros Sefcovic said later on Thursday that he spoke to his US counterparts, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The EU measures approved Wednesday target more than 20 billion euros' worth of US products including soybeans, motorcycles and beauty products.