The EU has welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 90-day pause for reciprocal tariffs.
The European Commission said clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function.
"Europe continues to focus on diversifying its trade partnerships, engaging with countries that account for 87pc of global trade and share our commitment to a free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas," said commission president Ursula von der Leyen. She added the EU remains committed to "constructive" negotiations with the US.
The 90-day pause is an important step towards stabilising the global economy, von der Leyen said.
On 9 April, Trump announced on social media that the US will pause so-called "reciprocal" tariffs on all countries other than China for 90 days. The US will continue taxing imported goods from nearly every country at a 10pc rate, while tariffs on imports from China will rise to 125pc.
Also on 9 April, EU states approved the commission's proposal for retaliatory trade countermeasures against the US. These first measures are in response to "unjustified and damaging" US tariffs decided on in March covering imports of EU steel and aluminium.
