President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States will postpone the start of a planned 50% tariff on imports from the European Union, pushing the implementation date from June 1 to July 9 to allow additional time for trade discussions with the EU.
The decision followed a phone conversation earlier in the day between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Trump said von der Leyen expressed a strong desire to move forward with serious negotiations.
“I told anybody that would listen, they have to do that,” Trump told reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, before heading back to Washington. According to Trump, von der Leyen promised to “rapidly get together and see if we can work something out.”
Just two days earlier, Trump had used social media to warn that he would impose the steep tariffs starting June 1, accusing the EU of being uncooperative in trade matters and criticizing what he described as stagnant negotiations.
Despite the tough rhetoric on Friday, Sunday’s conversation between the two leaders appeared to ease tensions, at least temporarily.
“I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so,” Trump wrote on Truth Social following his remarks to the press.
Von der Leyen, meanwhile, struck a diplomatic tone, highlighting the importance of the transatlantic partnership.
“Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” she said. “To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”
She also noted that the EU and the U.S. “share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship.”
{Matzav.com}