US President Donald Trump has agreed to delay imposing 50% tariffs on European Union goods until July 9, following a “very nice call” with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision comes after Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on June 1, citing stalled talks between the US and EU.
“We had a very nice call and I agreed to move it,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey.
Von der Leyen had requested an extension on the June 1 deadline, stating that Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively.
“To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9,” Von der Leyen said, adding that the EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil echoed this sentiment, calling for serious negotiations with Washington.
“We don’t need any further provocations, but serious negotiations,” Klingbeil told Bild newspaper. “The US tariffs endanger the US economy just as much as the German and European economy.”
The EU’s trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, emphasised the need for trade ties to be based on “mutual respect, not threats”.
The bloc has announced plans to hit US goods worth nearly $113 billion with tariffs if negotiations fail to produce a deal.
