Extension until July 9 and negotiations continue. New chapter in the “war” of tariffs between the United States and the European Union after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. A conversation defined as “excellent” by Von der Leyen herself and which will be followed by “serious negotiations”, the Republican said before boarding Air Force One, returning from his weekend in New Jersey.
The EU's request was to extend the suspension of 50% duties beyond June 1, taxes to which Brussels had threatened to respond with taxes on some American imports . "Europe is ready to move forward with negotiations quickly and decisively. To reach a good agreement, we will need time until July 9," von der Leyen said on X. "The EU and the United States have the most important and close trade relations in the world," she recalled.
On Friday , Donald Trump said he was not “seeking a deal” with the European Union and threatened to impose 50% tariffs on imports from the 27 member states starting June 1. The European Commission, which negotiates trade agreements on behalf of the EU, responded immediately, demanding compliance from Washington.
“The EU is fully committed and determined to reach an agreement that works for both sides,” Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic told X, after talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. Trade between the EU and the US “must be driven by mutual respect, not threats. We are ready to defend our interests,” he added.
In early May, the EU threatened to tax US imports, including cars and planes, to the tune of €95 billion if trade negotiations with Trump failed. The Commission also announced that it would take the World Trade Organization (WTO) to task over US trade measures.
In recent months, the European Union has been hit three times by customs duties from the American administration: 25% on steel and aluminum, announced in mid-March, 25% on cars and then 20% on all other European products, in April. This last surcharge was suspended until July to start negotiations. However, customs duties of 10% remain in place on most goods exported to the United States by the Twenty-seven.
