The European Union has announced a delay in imposing retaliatory tariffs on American goods as it races to secure a last-minute trade agreement with the administration of US President Donald Trump before his August 1 deadline.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the decision during a press conference in Brussels on Sunday, stating that while the bloc remains committed to a negotiated resolution, it is simultaneously preparing for countermeasures should talks fail.

“We have always been very clear that we prefer a negotiated solution,” von der Leyen said. “This remains the case, and we will use the time that we have now until the 1st of August.”

The delay comes just a day after President Trump announced plans to impose 30 percent tariffs on a wide range of European and Mexican exports starting August 1. The EU had originally planned to retaliate with €26 billion ($30 billion) worth of tariffs in response to Trump’s earlier duties on steel and aluminium but paused implementation in April to allow more time for dialogue.

That suspension, set to expire Monday at midnight, will now be extended as EU trade ministers prepare to meet in Brussels to evaluate further options.

Von der Leyen emphasized that the EU remains ready to act if negotiations break down: “At the same time, we will continue to prepare for the countermeasures, so we’re fully prepared.”

In Washington, White House Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett reinforced Trump’s firm stance, telling ABC News that the president is dissatisfied with current proposals from trade partners.

“These tariffs are real if the president doesn’t get a deal that he thinks is good enough,” Hassett said. “But, you know, conversations are ongoing, and we’ll see where the dust settles.”

The stakes are high. EU member states collectively form the United States’ largest trading partner, with transatlantic trade in goods and services totaling over €1.7 trillion ($2 trillion) in 2024, according to Eurostat.

Chioma Kalu

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