The European Union has decided to delay the implementation of retaliatory tariffs on US goods once again, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Sunday.

Originally scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, the €21 billion countermeasures were in response to US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on European steel and aluminium. The EU first suspended its response in March, and that pause has now been extended until early August to allow time for negotiations.

“We prefer a negotiated solution,” von der Leyen stated during a press conference, adding that the EU will use the additional time to prepare its countermeasures if diplomacy fails.

The announcement follows a letter from Trump to von der Leyen, in which he confirmed his plan to impose 30% tariffs on EU imports starting 1 August. He warned that any EU retaliation would be met with even higher US tariffs.

In a televised interview over the weekend, Trump defended his aggressive trade policies, saying they had resulted in “hundreds of billions of dollars pouring in” to the US. However, the looming tariffs have sparked concern and pushback in Europe.

EU trade ministers are expected to meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss next steps. Germany’s finance minister, Lars Klingbeil, stressed the importance of “serious and solution-oriented negotiations,” but warned that if talks collapse, the EU must respond decisively to protect European jobs and industries.

“Our hand remains outstretched, but we won’t accept just anything,” Klingbeil said in an interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

French President Emmanuel Macron also urged the European Commission to “resolutely defend European interests,” emphasizing unity and strength in trade talks.

The US has recently expanded its tariff threats, proposing trade conditions affecting 24 countries and the EU’s 27 member states. According to White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, the Trump administration is targeting “90 trade deals in 90 days.” Preliminary agreements with the UK and Vietnam have been announced, while negotiations with other nations are ongoing.

As tensions rise, all eyes are now on the upcoming EU meeting to determine whether compromise or confrontation will define the next phase of transatlantic trade relations.