European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has praised United States President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily halt the imposition of new “reciprocal tariffs” on most countries for a period of 90 days, describing the move as a positive step towards restoring stability in global trade relations.
Speaking on Thursday, von der Leyen said, “It’s an important step toward stabilising the global economy. Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function.”
She further expressed the European Union’s readiness to engage in meaningful discussions with Washington, noting, “The European Union remains committed to constructive negotiations with the U.S., intending to achieve frictionless and mutually beneficial trade.”
Trump’s announcement on Wednesday, aimed at easing tensions amid escalating trade disputes, came just as European Union member states approved a fresh round of retaliatory tariffs against U.S. goods. The measures, targeting American imports with levies ranging from 10 to 25 per cent, are scheduled to take effect next week.
These retaliatory tariffs are in direct response to the U.S. administration’s decision a month ago to impose duties on steel and aluminium imports—an action that has drawn sharp criticism from several of America’s closest trading partners.
Following Trump’s tariff pause announcement, U.S. financial markets responded with renewed optimism. After days of steep declines, stocks rebounded strongly on Wednesday, reflecting investor relief over the potential de-escalation of the trade dispute.
