Trump Delays 50% Tariffs On EU After Its Leader Blinks

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is pushing back the deadline to raise tariffs on imports from the European Union after a conversation with its leader, who says more time is needed to hash out a “good deal.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared that the deadline of June 1 to raise the tariff rate from 10% to 50% — which he floated on Friday — would be delayed until July 9. The president said he decided to delay the tariffs after receiving a call from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“I received a call today from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, requesting an extension on the June 1st deadline on the 50% Tariff with respect to Trade and the European Union,” Trump said. “I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so. The Commission President said that talks will begin rapidly. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Von der Leyen said she had a “good call” with Trump in a post on X.

“The EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship,” von der Leyen said. “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively. To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”

Just before Memorial Day weekend began, Trump declared he would impose a 50% tariff on products from the European Union, apparently moving up the deadline of the 90-day pause of his “Liberation Day” tariffs for the European bloc by a little more than a month.

“The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with,” Trump said at the time. “Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable. Our discussions with them are going nowhere!”

“Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025,” he added. “There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States.”

Trump told reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, on Sunday that von der Leyen “wants to get down to serious negotiation.”

Earlier this month, the United States and China agreed to lower steep tariffs above 100% imposed on each other’s goods as they continue trade discussions. Trump administration officials have also unveiled a trade deal framework with the United Kingdom and teased more deals in the making with other nations dealing with “Liberation Day” tariffs, including many facing the prospect of higher rates above the 10% baseline once the 90-day pause expires.