The European Union will take "a bit of time" before it responds to the new reciprocal tariff rates U.S. President Donald Trump plans to outline on April 2, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Wednesday.
The White House said on Tuesday that Trump intends for the reciprocal tariff rates to take effect on April 2, despite comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that indicated a possible delay in their activation.
In the past week, Washington has imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium, the EU has set out plans for retaliation, and Trump has threatened 200% tariffs on EU wine and spirits, separate to the promise of further tariffs on April 2.
