Two days ago, US President Donald J. Trump reignited the tariff war with ‘difficult to deal’ European Union, created – according to him – to ‘take advantage of the US’.
In light of the manifold unfair trade practices by the EU, Trump announced a ‘straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025’.
“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. 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. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
But today, the US leader announced a new extended deadline of July 9, after receiving a call from EU Commissioner 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. 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!”
Trump was responding from an earlier X post by von der Leyen (VDL), but he made sure to spell out that she called him, that she made the extension request, and finally that it was his privilege to agree.
Good call with @POTUS.
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.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 25, 2025
“Good call with @POTUS.
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.”
By using a strong negotiating stance of ‘not wanting to negotiate at all’, Trump has made VDL bend the knee and ask for negotiations to take place.
Trump AGREES to give more time to the EU after call with chief von der Leyen
He threatened to slap 50% tariffs earlier but now says he will WAIT until July 9 https://t.co/myBClQPoXc pic.twitter.com/qIeyD090bO
— RT (@RT_com) May 25, 2025
Read more:
President Trump Recommends 50% Tariffs on All European Union Countries While Offering Praise and Advice to the UK
Read the full article here