US President Donald Trump has postponed the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs on the European Union and other nations until June 1, 2018, the White House said on Monday.
The decisions came just hours before temporary exemptions from the tariffs on these countries were set to expire on May 1, The Wall Street Journal reported citing sources familiar with the matter. Now the term has been moved one more month forward. Washington hopes to reach an agreement with its allies. Earlier, the European Union warned it would respond with counter-measures if the United States brings in import tariffs.
A 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum for China, Russia, Japan and other countries imposed by Trump do not yet apply to the European Union. It is noted that the White House reached agreements with Argentina, Australia and Brazil. Washington will continue negotiations with Canada, Mexico and the European Union, Reuters reported.
The question of new duties on steel and aluminum was raised during the recent visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the United States. However, the US president and the chancellor of Germany did not reach a consensus. Merkel said the decision is now in Trump's hands on whether to grant exemptions to European Union nations.
