Adds EU suspension of tariff measures
The EU has said it will pause for 90 days the implementation of its reciprocal tariffs on the US, responding in kind to a US move.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc will put on hold for 90 days the countermeasures approved by member states on 9 April in response to US tariffs decided on in March covering imports of EU steel and aluminium.
"If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in," said von der Leyen. She said preparatory work on further countermeasures will continue, and said the EU remains committed to "constructive" negotiations with the US.
"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," 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.
