- Trump Delays EU Tariffs: Trump delays 50% EU tariff until July 9 to extend trade negotiation time.
- The EU seeks more time to reach a fair trade agreement and avoid costly tariffs amid delays.
- Both sides face pressure as talks continue amid threats of retaliatory tariffs following the delay of Trump’s tariffs.
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he will delay imposing a 50% tariff on all imports from the European Union until July 9. He originally planned to start these tariffs on June 1. Trump Delays EU Tariffs, saying he wants to allow more time for negotiations with the EU. This delay gives both sides a chance to try to reach a trade agreement before the tariffs take effect. The tariffs would hit many products coming from Europe into the US, raising costs for EU exporters.
Trump and Ursula von der Leyen Agree on More Time for Negotiations
Trump revealed in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he spoke with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. She requested more time to work on a deal. Von der Leyen also posted on social media that their conversation went well. She said Europe wants to move talks quickly but needs more time to finalize a good deal. The EU needs until July 9 to avoid rushing into a bad agreement or trade conflict over Trump’s tariffs.
European Commission Leads Trade Talks and Negotiations
The European Commission handles the EU’s trade policies and represents the bloc in talks with the US. It sets the rules for tariffs and trade agreements with other countries. The July 9 date ties into a previous 90-day pause on another set of US tariffs that Trump threatened in April. That pause also expires on July 9. So, the EU wants to use this extended time to negotiate carefully and avoid tariffs that would hurt European exporters, particularly after Trump delays EU tariffs.
EU Works to Prevent Tariffs as Talks Continue
The EU has worked hard to negotiate with the US and avoid the tariffs Trump has threatened. Maros Sefcovic, the EU Trade Commissioner, was already in talks with US officials last Friday. Despite Trump’s warning on Friday that he was no longer interested in a deal, the EU continues to push for negotiations. EU officials want to protect European businesses from costly new tariffs. They hope talks can lead to a fair agreement for both sides.
Trump Signals No Deal, Creating Uncertainty
On Friday, Trump told reporters that he was no longer looking for a trade deal with the EU. He said, “I’m not looking for a deal.” This statement made the future of the trade talks unclear. Despite this, the US president agreed on Sunday to delay tariffs for more negotiation time. This back-and-forth shows the unpredictability in the US approach to trade with Europe.
EU Threatens to Retaliate with Tariffs on US Goods
The European Union has warned that it will strike back if the US imposes new tariffs. The EU prepared a list of US products worth €116 billion that it could tax. This list includes major exports like cars and aircraft. The EU wants to protect its own industries and show that it will not accept unfair tariffs without consequences. These threats add pressure on the US side to negotiate seriously.
Current Tariffs on EU Goods and What Trump’s Tariffs Mean
Currently, the US charges a 25% tariff on some EU products, including cars, steel, and aluminum. On top of that, the US applies a 10% general tariff on many imports. If Trump reintroduces his “reciprocal tariffs” in July, EU products could face an extra 10% tax. This would increase costs for European companies and raise prices for US consumers who buy those products. Higher tariffs could also slow down trade and hurt jobs on both sides.
Why These Tariffs Matter for Both Economies
These tariffs affect big industries in both the US and Europe. The car, steel, and airplane sectors are vital to both economies. Tariffs make goods more expensive. This hurts manufacturers who rely on cross-border trade. It also leads to higher prices for customers. Both sides want to avoid a full trade war because it could damage economic growth and cooperation.
What Will Happen Next in US-EU Trade Talks?
The July 9 delay gives both sides more time to negotiate. They want to prevent a costly trade conflict. However, the talks remain tough. Trump’s mixed signals and the EU’s warnings show how difficult the situation is. Both sides will need to work hard to find common ground. Otherwise, tariffs could return and escalate tensions between the US and the EU.