US President Donald Trump plans to postpone the introduction of the new tariffs he announced for early June on imports from the EU for a good month. The start of the planned additional import fees of 50 percent will be postponed to July 9, Trump said after a conversation with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
After the announcement by Donald Trump to impose tariffs of 50 percent against the EU in June, the Leyen claimed to have a “good phone call” with the US president. “Europe is ready to promote the negotiations quickly and determined. To achieve a good agreement, we need time until July 9,” said von der Leyen on Sunday evening in online service X. “The EU and the USA maintain the most important and closest trade relationships in the world,” she added.
A few hours later, Donald Trump announced that he would comply with an extension of the original period. After the “very good conversation” he agreed to move the date “to July 9”. “I agreed and she told me that we will meet quickly and see if we can find a solution.” Trump commented on Sunday (local time) in the US state of New Jersey shortly before his departure with the presidential machine Air Force One.
Europe hopes for a customs deal with Donald Trump
The US President further fueled the customs dispute with the EU on Friday by explaining in his online service Truth Social that he “recommended” tariffs on goods from the EU in the amount of 50 percent from June 1. As a reason for this, he stated that the talks with Brussels did not go on the subject.
Shortly afterwards, Trump also made clear with a view to the EU to reporters in the White House: “I am not looking for a deal. We have already submitted an agreement: it is 50 percent.” That would be five times as much as the current custom of ten percent on most products. In contrast, a higher rate of 25 percent already applies to cars or aluminum.
According to the EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, Brussels still hopes for an agreement based on “respect” and not on “threats”. The EU was “determined to achieve an agreement that works for both sides,” said Sefcovic after discussions with Trump’s trade officer Jamieson Greer and US trade Minister Howard Lutnick on Friday in online service X.
