News headline:.

The European Union (EU) has postponed the implementation of its first counter-sanctions against the USA until mid-April, after President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum by 25% earlier this month, Reuters reports.

Initially, countermeasures amounting to about $28 billion, affecting American goods including a 50% tariff on American whiskey, were set to take effect on April 1, with a second wave of measures planned for April 13.

However, the EU decided to delay the implementation of all counter-sanctions until mid-April, according to Reuters.

According to the agency, this pause will give the EU more Time to negotiate with the United States and to review the goods subject to the new tariff.

The EU COUNTERS TRUMP'S TARIFFS, TARGETING $28 BILLION IN GOODS FROM THE US, POTENTIALLY INCLUDING MEAT AND TOOLS

'We are now considering aligning the timing of both sets of EU countermeasures, so that we can consult with member states on both lists simultaneously, and this would also give us additional time for negotiations with our American partners,' said European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic at a European Parliament hearing on Thursday, Reuters reported.

American whiskey producers welcomed the decision.

'This is a very positive development and gives American distillers a ray of hope that the setback of a 50% tariff on American whiskey may be changed,' said President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council Chris Swonger. 'Over the last three years, while these EU tariffs have been suspended, exports of American whiskey to the EU have been skyrocketing, supporting jobs at US distilleries, as well as local farms.'

'We urge the EU and the US to reach an agreement that will restore and protect zero retaliatory tariffs on spirit trade, which will benefit producers and the hospitality sector,' said Swonger. 'The spirits industry is a model for growth through fair and responsible trade with zero tariffs.'

TRUMP INCREASES TARIFFS ON ALL IMPORTED STEEL AND ALUMINUM, TRIGGERING EUROPE’S COUNTERMEASURES

After the EU initially announced its countermeasures, Trump responded by threatening a 200% tariff on wine and other alcoholic products from European partners if the Union continues to implement counter-sanctions.

'If this tariff is not removed immediately, the USA will soon impose a 200% tariff on ALL WINES, CHAMPAGNE, AND ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS IMPORTED FROM FRANCE AND OTHER COUNTRIES REPRESENTING THE EU. This will be great for the wine and champagne business in the USA,' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The Prime Minister of Ireland, Micheál Martin, a major exporter of whiskey, noted on Thursday that delaying the countermeasures is a wise decision that will allow Europe to 'respond wisely and strategically,' Reuters reported.

TOXICATING JOBS: EU COMMISSION SAYS GLOBAL TRADE THRESHOLD WILL NOT FALL SOON

The agency reported that Sefcovic stated that almost nothing has been achieved in terms of reducing import duties and resolving the global trade war, the agency reported.

'I don't think the USA is thinking in that direction,' Sefcovic said regarding proposals to lower tariffs. 'And currently, they consider the best way to approach this through tariff policy. I hope one day we will get to that discussion, but right now we are clearly not heading in that direction.'

Reports contributed by FOX Business' Daniella Genovese and Reuters.