The EU postponed the introduction of retaliatory measures against US duties from April 1 to the middle of the month. European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic explained that this would allow time for consultations between EU countries and the United States. However, France, Italy and Ireland have already criticized the European Commission's plan. The EU plans to synchronize two stages of measures: discussions within the union and dialogue with the Americans to find solutions. The measures announced on March 12 will come into force in mid-April, Sefcovic said in Brussels. Earlier, Donald Trump signed a decree on 25% duties on steel and aluminum. In response, the EU has prepared measures for 26 billion euros. Initially, their introduction was planned from April 1 and concerned products, including Harley-Davidson motorcycles and whiskey. Mid-April was supposed to be the deadline for agreeing on additional measures worth over 18 billion euros. The escalation is opposed by France, Ireland, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, which export significant amounts of alcohol to the United States. They fear that the EU's measures could provoke a new round of trade tensions, as was the case during Trump's first term.
