Trump Calls Off Planned 50% Tariffs on the EU, DW, May 26, 2025

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he would be suspending the planned 50% tariffs on the European Union until July 9. The decision was made after a call with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. Von der Leyen wrote on X that the EU and the US have the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship, and expressed her readiness for swift and decisive talks until July 9. As for what Trump said, he posted on his Truth Social platform that talks will begin rapidly, and that it was his privilege to agree to the extension. He added that Von der Leyen had asked for an extension in the June 1 deadline in order to engage in serious negotiations. How did we get to this stage? The authorities in Brussels and Washington have been negotiating to avoid a trade war sparked by Trump’s April announcement of tariffs on most of the US’ trading partners. Initially, he threatened a 20% tariff on most EU goods, which he later halved to 10%. The EU has since been hit with three rounds of tariffs. On Friday, Trump had announced a 50% tariff on the EU starting from June 1 due to trade talks with the bloc going nowhere. However, now, he has agreed to an extension to the original July deadline. The EU has advised that the transatlantic relationship should be based on mutual respect instead of threats, and has threatened to tax US goods in response. The finance minister of Germany, Lars Klingbeil, hopes for serious negotiations with the White House but urged against further provocations. He also pointed out that Trump’s tariffs don’t benefit anyone and endanger the US economy just as much as the German and European economies. This article was edited by John Silk.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/us-trump-suspends-planned-50-tariffs-on-eu/a-72666268?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf