EU pauses tariff retaliation for 90 days to match Trump move, holding out hope for talks

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By LORNE COOK and DAVID McHUGH, Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive commission said Thursday it will put retaliation measures on hold for 90 days to match President Donald Trump’s pause on his sweeping new tariffs on global trading partners and leave room for a negotiated solution.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the commission, which handles trade for the bloc’s 27 member countries, “took note of the announcement by President Trump.”

New tariffs on $23 billion of US goods will be put on hold for 90 days because “we want to give negotiations a chance,” she said in a statement.

But she warned: “If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in.”

Trump imposed a 20% levy on goods from the EU as part of his onslaught of tariffs of 10% and upward against global trading partners but said Wednesday he will pause them for 90 days to give countries a chance to negotiate solutions to U.S. trade concerns.

Countries subject to the pause will face Trump’s 10% baseline tariff.

Before Trump’s announcement, EU member countries voted to approve a set of retaliatory tariffs on $23 billion in goods in response to his 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum that took effect in March. The EU, the largest trading partner of the U.S., described them as “unjustified and damaging.”

The EU tariffs were set to go into effect in stages, some on April 15 and others on May 15 and Dec. 1. The EU commission didn’t immediately provide a list of the goods.

Members of the EU — the world’s largest trading bloc — have said they prefer a negotiated deal to resolve a trade war that damages the economies on both sides. The bloc’s top trade official has shuttled between Brussels and Washington for weeks trying to head off a conflict.

The targeted goods are a tiny fraction of the $1.8 trillion in U.S.-EU annual trade. Some 4.4 billion euros in goods and services crosses the Atlantic each day in what the European Commission calls “the most important commercial relationship in the world.”

The EU has targeted smaller lists of goods in hopes of exerting political pressure and avoiding economic damage from a wider escalation of tit-for-tat tariffs.

The EU is also working on a further set of countermeasures in response to Trump’s blanket 20% tariff on all European goods, now suspended. That could include measures aimed at U.S. tech companies and the services sector as well as trade in goods.

Still, von der Leyen said that Europe intends to diversify its trade partnerships.

She said that the EU will continue “engaging with countries that account for 87% of global trade and share our commitment to a free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas,” and to lift barriers to commerce inside its own single market.

“Together, Europeans will emerge stronger from this crisis,” von der Leyen said.

McHugh reported from Frankfurt, Germany

Today in History: April 10, Northern Ireland’s Good Friday Agreement

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Today is Thursday, April 10, the 100th day of 2025. There are 265 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On April 10, 1998, the Northern Ireland peace talks concluded as negotiators signed the Good Friday Agreement, a landmark settlement to end 30 years of bitter rivalries and bloody attacks.

Also on this date:

In 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in New York by Henry Bergh.

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Today in History: April 6, United States enters World War I

In 1912, the British liner RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton, England, bound for New York on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

In 1919, Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata was assassinated by forces loyal to President Venustiano Carranza.

In 1963, the nuclear submarine USS Thresher (SSN-593) sank during deep-diving tests east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, killing all 129 aboard.

In 1971, the U.S. table tennis team arrived in China at the invitation of the communist government for a goodwill visit that came to be known as “ping-pong diplomacy.”

In 2019, scientists released the first image ever made of a black hole, revealing a fiery, doughnut-shape object in a galaxy 55 million light-years from earth.

Today’s Birthdays:

Labor leader-activist Dolores Huerta is 95.
Football Hall of Famer Mel Blount is 77.
Author Anne Lamott is 71.
Actor Peter MacNicol is 71.
Singer-producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds is 66.
Musician Brian Setzer is 66.
Singer Kenny Lattimore is 55.
Rapper-producer Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest) is 55.
Actor David Harbour is 50.
Singer Shemekia Copeland is 46.
Actor Charlie Hunnam is 45.
Actor-singer Mandy Moore is 41.
Actor Haley Joel Osment is 37.
Country musician Maren Morris is 35.
Actor-singer AJ Michalka (mish-AL’-kah) is 34.
Actor Daisy Ridley is 33.
Singer-actor Sofia Carson is 32.

The best dining chairs to complete your table setup

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Which dining chair is best?

Whether it’s for everyday dining or elaborate special occasion meals, sitting in your dining room should be a pleasure. While the company around the table is most important, the dining chairs they sit in matter, too.

For an elegant look in a very comfortable chair, try the Andover Mills Agastya Tufted Parsons Chair. This set of two chairs adds a classic touch with tufted backs and gracefully curved tops.

What to know before you buy a dining chair

How many chairs do you need?

Most people buy dining chairs based on the number of people they have, but it’s important to think about the available space around the table, too. For a comfortable dining experience, plan on 24-30 inches of space per person when seated.

This translates into:

Four chairs for a 48-inch round or square table
Six chairs for a round or square 60-inch table or 72-inch rectangular or oval table
Eight chairs for a 72-inch round or square table or a 96-inch rectangular or oval table
10 chairs for a 120-inch rectangular or oval table

Chair type

Whether your style is fun and funky or clean and classic, the type of dining chair you select should reflect that. Consider the following styles.

Armchairs: Armchairs are formal options that are usually placed at the ends of the table. These are also good for people who struggle to stand up when seated.
Side chairs: Side chairs are more casual and compact. For this reason, they are often on the sides of the table and work better in dining rooms with less space.
Parsons chairs: This type of chair resembles a side chair but is slightly more formal. They’re often tailored and upholstered with a curving back.
Benches: Benches are a great option for seating more people than individual chairs would allow. They are casual and appropriate in less formal dining rooms.

Material

Further customize the look of your dining room by considering which chair material you’d like.

Wood: Wood is a common and durable material that can be simple or intricate. These may also come with an upholstered cushion or accents on the back of the chair.
Metal: For an industrial look at home, choose metal. These are easy to store and often stack, plus they are lightweight and easy to keep clean.
Wicker: Natural materials are woven together to create a chair that works well in bohemian or rustic dining rooms.
Fabric upholstery: Upholstered chairs are a good choice for formal dining rooms in households without children. They are more able to be personalized than other options, but they are harder to keep clean.
Plastic: Plastic chairs come in a wide variety of styles and colors. They are lightweight and easy to clean and store. This is the best option for homes with small children.

What to look for in a quality dining chair

Floor protection

Simple rubber stoppers on the bottom of each chair leg protect your floors from scratches and damage. These also prevent the chairs from skidding.

Easy-care fabric and materials

Even upholstered chairs are available in easy-care fabrics that are treated for stain resistance. This is important if you like the look of a fabric chair but don’t want to spend a lot of time maintaining them.

Easy storage

If you purchase extra chairs for large gatherings, they must be easy to store when the party’s over. Stackable chairs are perfect for compact spaces.

Slipcovers

Slipcovers let you change the look of your dining room in a flash. The best slipcovers are machine washable and offer protection for the fabric underneath. Some slipcovers are also available for metal, wood and plastic chairs.

How much you can expect to spend on a dining chair

The price varies dramatically depending on the number of chairs you purchase, the materials used and the overall quality. Expect to spend $35-$300 per chair.

Dining chair FAQ

What are some tips for selecting dining room chairs that match the decor?

A. The most important factor when selecting dining room chairs is to make sure you have room for them. Measure your dining room and dining room table first.

To find the best dining room chairs for your decor:

Coordinate the shape of the chair with the shape of the table. Square or rectangular tables look great when surrounded by chairs with square or rectangular backs.
Customize your cushions to match the colors of your walls and table accessories.
Change the look of your dining room with slipcovers.
Consider neutral colors if you prefer that your tablescape gets all of the attention.

Do you have to buy a matching set of table and chairs?

A. No. If your decorating style is more eclectic, choosing different chairs and coordinating the color of the chair or the pattern of the cushion can pull the look together.

What’s the best dining chair to buy?

Top dining chair

Andover Mills Agastya Tufted Parsons Chair

What you need to know: These chairs bring an elegant, comfortable touch to the dining room.

What you’ll love: The rolled tops and tufted buttons are graceful and fit a variety of decorating styles. They come in a set of two and are available in one additional color. The legs have plastic glides to prevent scratching the floor, and they assemble easily. These hold up to 260 pounds.

What you should consider: These cannot be stacked, and they can only be spot-cleaned.

Top dining chair for the money

FDW Store Tolix Side Metal Kitchen Trattoria Chairs

What you need to know: The clean lines of these chairs are modernist and classic.

What you’ll love: If you prefer the clean lines of a stool, the backs are removable. They are steel, stackable and sturdy. These sets of four chairs come in nine colors. Nonslip rubber feet keep them in place and protect your floors.

What you should consider: You’ll need to add cushions if you want a more comfortable seat.

Worth checking out

Ink+Ivy Nola Dining Side Chairs (Set of 2)

What you need to know: These comfortable chairs can give your living room a 1960s-1970s vibe.

What you’ll love: The cutout design in the back gives each chair a desirable silhouette. The wooden legs keep the chairs stable. These chairs can support up to 300 pounds.

What you should consider: They’re easy to stain and difficult to clean.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Concert review: Tyler Childers offers enticing spin on classic country at Target Center

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Midway through Tyler Childers’ Wednesday night concert at Minneapolis’ Target Center, the 33-year-old Kentucky native took to a satellite stage in the middle of the arena floor for a series of solo acoustic numbers.

Dramatically lit from soft lights below and two spots above, Childers looked a bit amused, a bit bewildered and a bit amazed as he sang “Born Again” to a full house of youthful fans hanging on his every word. For a moment, it felt like Childers wasn’t basking in the glory as much as he was wondering just how he got there.

To be sure, Childers is one of the most unusual country stars to come along since Zach Bryan, who went from active duty in the Navy to headlining stadiums in just three years. I’m guessing Bryan’s breakaway success helped boost the fortunes of Childers, who surely shows up in many a “since you listened to, you might like” playlists.

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Yet Childers is a different, and far more talented, beast than Bryan, who would probably be the first to admit it. He grew up in the same county that gave country Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle and Chris Stapleton and recorded his first album while he was still a teen.

Wednesday night, Childers and his well-oiled band the Food Stamps surveyed his career, from the title track of his 2011 self-released debut “Bottles and Bibles” to “Rustin’ in the Rain,” the title track of his sixth and most recent album. With the prominent fiddle, gospel-inspired keyboards and Childers’ nasal twang of a voice, it’s tempting to call him a classic country act.

Yeah, sure, his sound brought to mind both the early days of country and the outlaw turn the genre took in the ’70s. But there’s also something utterly modern about Childers’ approach and his direct, heartfelt songs that feel like old friends after the first spin. (Clad in a well-worn Kentucky sweatshirt and pleated Dockers, Childers clearly doesn’t care much about cultivating the image of a superstar.)

What’s most amazing about Childers is that he’s now at the point of filling arenas without hype or trickery, but sheerly on the strength of his songs, which he delivers with infectious passion. He’s a true storyteller who has captured the hearts of his audience, who sang along to the acoustic numbers “Shake the Frost” and “Lady May” but spent the rest of the night grinning and swaying along, from the raucous love song “All You’n” to the heartbreaking “In Your Love.” This kid is going places.