Donald Trump delays 50% tariffs on EU goods until July 9 after call with Commission chief

US President Donald Trump said Sunday he will postpone a planned 50% tariff on European Union goods until July 9, following a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The decision to delay came after what Trump described as a “very nice call” with von der Leyen, who expressed a willingness to engage in serious trade negotiations.

“We had a very nice call and I agreed to move it,” Trump told reporters at Morristown Airport in New Jersey before returning to Washington. “July 9 would be the day, that was the date she requested. Could we move it from June 1 to July 9? I agreed to do that.”

He again confirmed the extension in a post on Truth Social, saying it was his “privilege” to grant the delay and that talks with the EU would begin “rapidly.”

He accused the bloc of imposing “powerful trade barriers,” engaging in “monetary manipulations,” and levying “unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American companies.”

“The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with,” Trump wrote.

The tariffs were originally scheduled to take effect June 1.

Von der Leyen, in her own social media post, said she had a “good call” with the president and emphasised the strength of the transatlantic economic partnership.

“The EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship,” she wrote. “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively. To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”