US given nine more days to avoid sanctions
The European Union has given the United States nine extra days to comply with a recent World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling that its tariffs on steel imports are illegal, prompting speculation that Washington is about to lift the tariffs.
Arancha Gonzalez, spokeswoman for EU trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy, said on Thursday (November 27), "The US asked whether we'd accept a postponement and we have said yes. I don't think they need to provide a reason why; this is the bread and butter of the WTO."
Join EUobserver today
Get the EU news that really matters
Instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.
Choose your plan
... or subscribe as a group
Already a member?
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the White House, Claire Buchan, said, "The President has said he will make a decision in a timely manner, and this will provide ... additional time in which to evaluate all the information".
Washington was due to formally adopt the WTO's ruling on its steel tariffs next Monday (December 1), but now has until December 10 to comply, or face sanctions from the EU of up to 1.9 billion euro.
The other complainants in the case - Japan, China, South Korea, Norway, Brazil, Switzerland, and New Zealand - have also agreed to the delay.