Trump Softens 50% EU Tariff Threat Amid Rebooted Trade Talks

In a notable shift, US President Donald Trump has announced a delay in implementing a 50% tariff on European Union goods, originally set to take effect on June 1. The new date for the tariff imposition is July 9, giving both sides more time to negotiate a resolution.

The decision came following a Sunday phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who, according to Trump, expressed eagerness to begin serious trade discussions.

“I told anybody that would listen, they have to do that,” Trump told reporters on Sunday in Morristown, New Jersey. According to Trump, von der Leyen vowed to “rapidly get together and see if we can work something out.”

Von der Leyen, for her part, emphasized the strength of the transatlantic trade partnership. “The EU and the US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship,” she said.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, von der Leyen further reiterated, “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” while noting that “a good deal” will need “time until July 9.”

That date marks the end of Trump’s 90-day pause on what he refers to as reciprocal tariffs.

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Previously, the EU faced a 20% tariff as part of the reciprocal measures announced in April. However, Trump escalated his rhetoric on Friday, threatening a 50% tariff via a social media post. He accused the 27-nation bloc of being “very difficult to deal with” and claimed talks were “going nowhere.”

The conversation with von der Leyen seems to have cooled tensions and opened the door to renewed negotiations.