STORY
In a dramatic reversal that has raised eyebrows on both sides of the Atlantic, the President of the United States has performed a humiliating U-turn on recently announced tariffs, sparking widespread relief among officials in the UK and European Union. Just weeks after the White House unveiled a series of aggressive tariffs on key European exports, including steel, agricultural goods, and luxury items, the administration has now scrapped the measures entirely, citing the need for “recalibrated cooperation with allies.” The reversal comes after fierce diplomatic pressure, coordinated retaliation threats, and rising alarm from American industries caught in the crossfire.
European leaders wasted no time in responding. A senior EU diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the U-turn as “a necessary correction to a deeply misguided policy” and a “welcome return to reason.” In the UK, government insiders privately characterised the move as “a climbdown dressed in diplomatic waffle,” with one official joking that the White House “had gone from tariffs to tea and sympathy.”
The now-abandoned tariff plan had triggered weeks of tense negotiations and mounting transatlantic tension, with Brussels preparing a counter-package targeting American tech, whiskey, and motorbikes. The UK had also indicated it was ready to align with EU action, despite post-Brexit sensitivities. British trade officials say the tariff reversal is a vindication of a firm but measured diplomatic approach. “We made clear that unjustified tariffs on British products would not go unanswered,” one source said. “It’s encouraging that common sense has prevailed, even if it took a bruising for it to happen.”
For many in Europe, the episode has also reinforced concerns about the unpredictability of US trade policy under the current administration. “We’re pleased with the outcome,” said a spokesperson for the European Commission, “but the initial decision did serious damage to trust. We need more stability, not less, in global trade.”
American industry groups had lobbied intensely against the tariffs, warning of price spikes and job losses. Their pressure, combined with the diplomatic backlash, ultimately forced the President’s hand—though the administration has portrayed the shift as a strategic pause rather than a full retreat. Still, for observers in London, Brussels, and beyond, the optics are hard to ignore. As one EU official dryly remarked, “They came in swinging, and they left with a handshake. That tells you everything you need to know.”