President Trump has delayed the 50% tariff he recently vowed to impose on European goods.
Mr. Trump said he will hold off on the tariff on products from the European Union until July 9 days after having them go into effect on June 1.
“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,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social.
“I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so,” he said, adding that “the Commission President said that talks will begin rapidly.”
Ms. von der Leyen applauded the decision.
“Good call with @POTUS,” Ms. von der Leyen posted on X. “The EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship.
“Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” she said. “To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”
It is a stark shift in tone from Friday when Mr. Trump announced he was rolling out the steep tariffs on the bloc of 27 countries because trade negotiations with the EU were going nowhere.
Mr. Trump said the EU has been “very difficult to deal with” and imposes too many trade barriers, penalties, and taxes on U.S.-made goods.
“Our discussions with them are going nowhere!” he wrote Friday on Truth Social. “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.”
