EU leaders want permanent tariff exemption

BRUSSELS: European Union leaders called yesterday for a temporary exemption from United States import duties on steel and aluminium to be made permanent, while cautiously welcoming US President Donald Trump’s decision not to impose them on Europe for now.

Trump said yesterday he would suspend tariffs for the EU, the United States’ biggest trading partner, as well as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. The tariffs are suspended until May 1 as discussions continue.

‘‘I’m pleased they’ve announced a temporary exemption for the EU. What I will be working with my fellow EU leaders today is to see how we can secure a permanent exemption for the EU for those steel tariffs,’’ British Prime Minister Theresa May told reporters as she arrived at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.

An EU official said all the leaders at the summit were calling for a permanent exemption as they began their discussions on trade. — Reuters