The European Union will not receive a letter from the United States setting out higher tariffs, EU sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday, and is eyeing possible exemptions from the U.

EU said it was prepared to retaliate with tariffs on hundreds of American products, from U.S. beef, auto parts and beer to Boeing airplanes.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would impose a 50% tariff on imported copper and soon introduce long-threatened levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, broadening his trade war that has rattled markets worldwide.

Donald Trump has revived his threat to hit major trading partners with steep “reciprocal” tariffs even as he granted a three-week reprieve for countries to negotiate trade deals with the US. The president on Monday sent letters to Japan and South Korea,

President Donald Trump sent out tariff letters to U.S. trading partners on Monday as he had promised, starting with missives to Japan and South Korea before targeting Malaysia, South Africa and other countries.