Trump Gives More Time for EU Trade Talks After Threatening 50% Tariff

In a move that has caught the attention of the international community, President Donald Trump of the United States has agreed to give more time for trade discussions with the European Union (EU). This comes after he threatened to place a heavy 50% tariff on goods coming from Europe.

Last month, Trump said he would put a 20% tax on most EU products. Later, he reduced it to 10% to allow both sides to talk and find a solution. But on Friday, the US President became impatient and warned that he could increase the tariff to 50% by June 1 if talks did not move faster.

However, after what he called a “very nice” phone call with Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, Trump announced on social media that he would extend the deadline to July 9. Von der Leyen also confirmed the call was positive and said, “To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”

This new date gives both sides more time, as the original deadline was July 8 before Trump threatened the higher tariff.

Trump has often complained that the US does not have a fair trading relationship with the EU. According to US data, the EU sold over $600 billion worth of goods to the US last year, while the US sold only $370 billion to Europe.

Trump believes his tariff policy will “boost American manufacturing and protect jobs.” But many experts warn that these taxes could make goods more expensive for Americans and hurt the world economy. Tariffs are taxes on goods brought in from other countries, paid by the companies that import them.

The main issues in the talks are cars and farm products. Some tariffs have been paused, but a 25% tax on EU steel and aluminium is still in place.

After Trump’s threat, the EU’s trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, said, “The EU’s fully engaged, committed to securing a deal that works for both.” He added, “EU-US trade is unmatched and must be guided by mutual respect, not threats. We stand ready to defend our interests.”

The EU has also prepared its own tariffs against the US, including a 25% tax on €18 billion worth of US goods, but has put these on hold for now. The EU is also looking at more measures on US goods worth €95 billion.

European leaders, especially from France and Germany, are urging both sides to find a peaceful solution, warning that a trade war would be bad for everyone.

Trump has agreed to give more time for trade talks with the EU, delaying his plan to impose a 50% tariff. Both sides say they are ready to negotiate, but the risk of a trade war is still there if no agreement is reached by July 9. As Sefcovic said, “We stand ready to defend our interests.”

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