U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff delay provided some hope to major trade partners Japan, South Korea and the European Union that deals to ease duties could still be reached, while bewildering some smaller exporters such as South Africa and leaving companies with no clarity on the path forward.

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.

The European Union expects to find out on Monday whether President Trump will impose more tariffs, in a move economists have warned would have repercussions on both sides of the Atlantic.