Trump Delays EU 50% Tariff Hike Until July 9 to Allow Trade Talks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Trump announced a delay of the planned 50% tariffs on EU imports until July 9. The decision followed a Sunday call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Trump cited von der Leyen’s commitment to “serious negotiations” as the reason for the delay.
Trump Delays EU Tariffs: Quick Looks
- New Deadline: 50% tariff on EU goods now set for July 9, not June 1.
- Phone Diplomacy: Delay followed a direct call between Trump and von der Leyen.
- EU’s Position: Von der Leyen called for “swift and decisive” trade negotiations.
- Trump’s Tone: Shifted from hostile to cooperative, calling it a “privilege” to extend talks.
- Previous Threat: Trump had accused EU of being “very difficult” and said talks were “going nowhere.”
Deep Look: Trump Postpones EU Tariffs to Restart Trade Talks
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Sunday that his administration will delay the implementation of a threatened 50% tariff on European Union imports, offering a new window for negotiations aimed at averting a transatlantic trade war.
Speaking to reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, Trump said the decision followed a “constructive” phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who signaled a willingness to return to the negotiating table.
“I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so,” Trump wrote on Truth Social later in the day, just hours after the call.
A Call That Changed the Course
Trump’s earlier rhetoric suggested tariffs were imminent. In a Friday post, he slammed the 27-nation EU bloc as being “very difficult to deal with” and warned that trade talks were “going nowhere.” The tariffs, which would have taken effect June 1, were aimed at EU-manufactured goods — part of his broader “America First” trade policy.
But Sunday’s call apparently diffused the tension.
According to Trump, von der Leyen emphasized that she “wants to get down to serious negotiations,” and Trump told reporters: “I told anybody that would listen, they have to do that.” He added that the two agreed to meet again soon to explore a path toward a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
EU’s Response: Deal Possible, But Needs Time
President von der Leyen struck a cooperative tone in her own statement, calling the U.S.-EU relationship “the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship.”
“Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” she said, while acknowledging the complexity of any deal. “To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”
What’s at Stake?
- Tariff Target: EU-manufactured goods across several sectors, possibly including automobiles, machinery, and agricultural products.
- Economic Impact: The EU is the U.S.’s largest trading partner, with over $1.2 trillion in bilateral trade annually.
- Global Markets: Financial analysts have warned that such tariffs could destabilize transatlantic markets and ignite retaliatory measures from Brussels.
Trump’s surprise decision to delay — after a fiery warning just two days earlier — could reflect both the pressure from U.S. industries dependent on European goods and the desire to chalk up a trade victory before the 2026 midterms.
What Happens Next?
All eyes are now on what transpires between now and July 9, the new deadline for tariffs. If talks progress, the tariffs could be scrapped altogether. If they falter, Trump may reinstate his original plan and resume economic pressure on the EU.
Either way, Sunday’s delay injects new energy into transatlantic diplomacy and gives negotiators — and industries — a critical buffer to work with.
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