As of April 15, 2025, the European Union has decided to provisionally suspend the additional customs duties it had planned to apply to certain products imported from the United States. This measure was formalized through the adoption of two Implementing Regulations published in the Official Journal of the European Union:

     - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/778: introduces a technical revision of the countermeasures adopted in 2018, limiting the additional tariffs to a maximum of 25% and readjusting the scope of the affected products.

     - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/786: establishes the temporary suspension of all retaliatory measures until July 14, 2025.

The aim of this decision is to provide a window for dialogue between Brussels and Washington, allowing both parties to reach a mutually agreed solution to the tariff conflict. This tariff truce is part of a diplomatic strategy by the European Commission to prevent an escalation of the trade dispute with the United States while preserving the stability of the EU internal market.

This decision seeks to create a time margin and a favorable environment for negotiations between the EU and the United States, affecting the additional duties the EU had planned to impose in response to U.S. tariffs.

Context of the tariff measures

The suspension of these additional duties takes place in a context of commercial tensions between the EU and the United States. In March 2025, the U.S. administration imposed tariffs of 25% on steel and aluminum products, which led the EU to consider countermeasures. However, the EU opted to temporarily suspend its measures to facilitate negotiations and avoid an escalation of the trade war.

Previous extensions and future measures

The current suspension follows previous extensions, such as the one established in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/664, which extended the suspension of additional duties until April 14, 2025. In addition, the European Commission has indicated that it may expand the list of products subject to additional duties in the future, depending on the progress of negotiations with the United States.

Impact on Spanish imports

Spain, as an EU member state, is affected by these measures. In 2024, Spanish imports from the United States included products such as soybeans (€648 million), almonds, sweet corn, copper, polyethylene, rear-view mirrors, contact lenses, and Kraft paperboard. The suspension of additional duties facilitates the continued importation of these products without added tariff costs, benefiting various sectors of the Spanish economy.

Future outlook

The situation remains dynamic, and the application and scope of any additional duties that may be imposed on the United States will depend on the ongoing negotiations between the EU and the U.S. The EU has expressed its willingness to maintain dialogue and seek solutions that benefit both parties, avoiding a rise in commercial tensions.

Conclusion

The suspension of additional duties by the EU represents an effort to foster a favorable environment for negotiations with the United States. This measure aims to avoid an escalation of the trade war and protect the economic interests of the EU Member States, including Spain. The progress of negotiations in the coming months will be crucial in determining whether the additional duties are reinstated or a mutually beneficial agreement is reached.