“We have as you know a two-track approach. We have always been clear that we prefer a negotiated solution. This remains the case,” von der Leyen said.
The countermeasures — which could affect €21 billion of U.S. products like soybeans, motorcycles and orange juice — were due to take effect from 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday. Their suspension comes after the bloc vowed it would respond following Trump’s announcement Saturday.
Asked whether the EU could consider deploying its Anti-Coercion Instrument — or “trade bazooka” — to hit American banks and businesses in response, von der Leyen said the measures “were created for extraordinary situations — we are not there yet. This is very important. This is now the time for negotiations. But this also shows we are prepared for all eventual scenarios,” she said.
