threats of commercial retaliation appear to have dampened the resolve
A few days ago I saw an interview with an EU official (I don't remember who) which gave interesting insight.
They pointed out that they're talking with China about these tariffs, that they're taking a proof-based approach on them, reasoning and justifying with evidence of unfair subsidies, and that China has accepted such tariffs in the past for other things.
Collecting and discussing evidence obviously takes more time. But it defuses the "I put tariffs on you" -> "then I put tariffs on you" into a "these unjust subsidies were in place so we have to add these tariffs" -> "I don't like it but I see".
I wonder how those talks turned out, given that the tariffs have now been set. I guess I will hear from China if they object.