Von der Leyen's decision to resist immediate retaliatory measures points to the European Commission's desire to avoid a spiralling tit-for-tat escalation.

President Donald Trump indicated he is open to more trade negotiations, including with the European Union, even as he insisted that his letters threatening new tariff rates are “the deals” for US trading partners.

The European Union has announced an extension of its trade countermeasures suspension against the US until August 2025 as negotiations continue. President Trump's warning of a potential 30 per cent tariff has raised concerns,