Plans for the European Union to impose harsh new tariffs on U.S. goods have been put on hold, following vocal opposition from multiple European leaders and a stark warning from President Donald Trump. The tariffs, originally scheduled for late March, have been postponed to mid-April.
The decision came after Trump warned that the U.S. would hit back with a 200% tax on European alcohol products, including French wine, if the EU followed through with its 50% tax on American whiskey.
France’s Francois Bayrou and Ireland’s Michael Martin voiced concerns about the economic risks, but it was Italy’s Giorgia Meloni who went further, warning against fueling a cycle of retaliation and urging “common-sense” diplomacy with the U.S.
The European Commission has insisted the delay is to refine the list of targeted items. However, the sudden shift follows the Trump administration’s March 12 implementation of 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum.
Products from U.S. states that helped elect Trump — like bourbon, blue jeans and motorcycles — were originally chosen as targets by the EU. The trade bloc had hoped to pressure the administration through symbolic and economic blows.
But with Trump threatening an aggressive counterstrike, the political appetite in Europe began to change. Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic confirmed Thursday that no progress is expected until after April 2, when Trump’s broader reciprocal tariff policy is activated.
The EU’s proposed tariffs would impact roughly $28 billion worth of American exports. The whiskey tariff was set to lead the package, a pointed nod to previous battles from Trump’s first term.
