US president had threatened steep tariffs starting June 1, says EU now seeking “serious negotiation”
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a delay in his proposed 50 percent tariff hike on the European Union, extending the deadline to July 9 following what he described as a “very nice call” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Trump, who had previously threatened to impose the tariffs as early as June 1, said von der Leyen reached out on Sunday requesting more time to advance negotiations. “She said she wants to get down to serious negotiation,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One. “And I agreed to do that.”
Von der Leyen confirmed the conversation on social media, saying the EU needs time “to reach a good deal,” and added that Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively.
Trump’s comments mark a shift from his remarks on Friday, when he warned that discussions with the EU were “going nowhere” and that he was “not looking for a deal.” He has consistently accused the EU of being designed to “take advantage” of the United States.
Tensions Remain High
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil urged Washington to pursue “serious negotiations,” cautioning that further provocations would damage both American and European economies. He added that he had discussed the issue with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Trump has already imposed three sets of tariffs on the EU, including 25 percent duties on steel, aluminum, and cars, followed by a 20 percent reciprocal tariff on all imports — the latter currently suspended. A baseline 10 percent levy remains in place.
The European Commission has threatened retaliatory tariffs on $113 billion worth of U.S. goods if negotiations fail. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic reiterated that any agreement must be grounded in “mutual respect, not threats.”
According to EU figures, while the U.S. goods trade deficit with the EU stood at $236 billion in 2024, the overall trade gap — factoring in services — was around €50 billion ($57 billion).
