After the first call between the leaders of the US and Europe, Trump will extend the deadline for imposing tariffs on Europe to July 9, and the European Union promises to "quickly and decisively" advance negotiations.

Trump has postponed the deadline for the EU’s 50% tariff threat from June 1 to July 9, a decision that stems from a proactive phone call request from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Written by: Ye Zhen

Source: Wall Street News

The trade war between the US and Europe has taken another turn. Just two days after threatening to impose a 50% tariff on the EU, Trump changed his stance. After a phone call with the President of the EU, Trump announced that he would delay the deadline, giving both sides extra time for trade negotiations.

According to CCTV news reports, on the 25th local time, US President Trump stated that the European Union requested to extend the deadline for tariff negotiations to July 9, and he has agreed to this request. Trump said that the conversation with the EU regarding the tariff issue was “very pleasant.”

On the 23rd, Trump posted on social media that he suggested imposing a 50% tariff on goods from the European Union starting June 1. He stated that the main purpose of the establishment of the EU is to “take advantage of the United States in trade,” and that negotiations between the U.S. and the EU are “at a standstill.”

According to media reports, Trump’s decision to postpone the deadline stems from a proactive phone request from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This conversation marks the first public call between the two leaders since Trump took office, with the EU promising to advance negotiations “swiftly and decisively.” Media analysis suggests that the EU’s stance on trade negotiations may shift from a hardline approach to seeking compromise.

The President of the European Union Actively Seeks Peace to Gain Negotiation Time

On Sunday, Trump stated on social media that he received a phone request from von der Leyen for a delay, saying, “It is my honor.” This dramatic turn of events came just two days after Trump suddenly escalated the tariff threat from 20% to 50% on Friday.

Trump told reporters at Morristown Airport in New Jersey on Sunday: “We had a very pleasant conversation, and I agreed to extend the deadline.”

She said she hopes to engage in serious negotiations, “Trump told the media,” she said we will quickly come together to see if we can reach a solution.

Ursula von der Leyen also issued a statement on the X platform stating: “Europe is ready to swiftly and decisively advance negotiations. To reach a good agreement, we need time until July 9.” Analysts believe this statement suggests that the European Commission’s position may be shifting towards seeking a compromise.

Stephen Moore, an external economic advisor to Trump, told the media that von der Leyen’s statement is “a hopeful sign” indicating that the EU is “ready to negotiate.” However, he also acknowledged that “it may not be as quick as Trump would like to see.”

Stalemate for nearly two months, the differences between the two sides remain enormous.

Trump has long criticized the European Union, claiming that its establishment was to take advantage of the United States, and has condemned the ongoing trade deficit the U.S. has with the European continent.

Last week, the European Union submitted a new trade proposal to the United States in an attempt to advance negotiations. Reportedly, this new framework covers tariffs and non-tariff barriers, as well as ways to strengthen economic security, mutual investment, strategic procurement, and cooperation on global challenges.

However, White House officials expressed frustration to you media: “We just haven’t seen the EU come up with anything substantial.”

According to reports, the United States is dissatisfied with the EU’s offer of mutual tariff reductions rather than unilateral tariff cuts, especially against the backdrop of other trade partners making similar unilateral concessions to Washington. Even more displeasing to the U.S. is the EU’s failure to prioritize its proposed digital tax as a key negotiation point, which is a clear demand from the United States.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Faulkender pointed out in a media program that the U.S. is facing “simultaneous challenges” - having to negotiate tariffs with the EU as a whole while also engaging in separate negotiations with individual European countries on non-tariff barriers, which creates a “negotiation issue.”

If an agreement is not reached, the EU has prepared a list of retaliatory tariffs worth €21 billion, including U.S. corn, wheat, motorcycles, and clothing, and is discussing another target list worth €95 billion, including Boeing airplanes, cars, and bourbon whiskey.