US President Donald Trump has agreed to delay the planned 50% tariffs on goods from the European Union (EU) until July 9. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, spoke to Trump on phone for more time to negotiate a trade agreement, which prompted this decision.

Trump had announced that the higher tariffs would begin on June 1. It came after the slow pace of negotiations. He had warned that the US would raise tariffs on all EU imports to 50% if talks didn’t speed up.

However, on Sunday, Trump said he agreed to von der Leyen’s request. “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 wrote on Truth Social. “I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so. The Commission President said that talks will begin rapidly.”

Von der Leyen also posted about the call on X (formerly Twitter), saying she had a “good” phone call with the US President.

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

TRADE TALKS CONTINUE AMID TENSIONS

In early April, Trump had given a 90-day window for the US and the EU to reach a trade agreement, which was set to end on July 9. Initially, he had announced a 20% tariff on most EU goods but later reduced it to 10% to allow time for talks. But on Friday, Trump once again warned he would raise tariffs to 50% if progress was not made.

He repeated his dissatisfaction on Friday afternoon at the White House, stating that the US was ready to take strong action unless a deal was reached soon. That same day, the EU’s trade chief, Maro efovi, said the EU was committed to finding a fair deal and hoped to avoid a trade war.

Trump had given a 90-day deadline in early April for the EU to reach a trade agreement, which was set to end on July 9. He first proposed a 20% tariff on the majority of EU goods, which he later lowered to 10%.

At the White House on Friday afternoon, he repeated his displeasure, saying that unless a deal was reached immediately, the United States is prepared to take decisive action. Maro efovi, the EU’s trade chief, stated that the EU hoped to prevent a trade war.

“The EU is fully engaged, committed to securing a deal that works for both,” efovi said after speaking with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “EU-US trade is unmatched and must be guided by mutual respect, not threats. We stand ready to defend our interests.”

Trump has long maintained that trade between the US and the EU is unfair. A 25% tax on EU steel and aluminium remains in effect, despite the suspension of some tariffs earlier this year to allow for negotiations.

According to US government data, the EU imported only $370 billion worth of goods in 2024, while exporting more than $600 billion.

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