BRUSSELS - The European Union accused the United States on Tuesday of prolonging "market uncertainty" with its decision to hold off on imposing controversial tariffs on metal imports from key global trading partners. The European Commission and economic powerhouse Germany both called for EU nations to be permanently excluded from the punishing tariffs. "The US decision prolongs market uncertainty, which is already affecting business decisions," the commission, the EU's executive arm, said in a statement. A government spokeswoman in Berlin said Germany had "taken note" of Trump's decision to delay the duties, but said it was "still waiting for a permanent exemption" to the tariffs. Britain, the EU's second-largest economy, welcomed Trump's "positive" decision but warned against further protectionist measures from the White House.

Source: Bangkok Post May 01, 2018 08:15 UTC