President Trump announced Sunday that he has agreed to postpone a 50% tariff on European Union imports until July 9, following what he described as a “very nice call” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Speaking to reporters at Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey, Trump said von der Leyen had asked for more time to engage in substantive negotiations. “July 9 would be the day, that was the date she requested,” Trump said. “Could we move it from June 1 to July 9? I agreed to do that.”
“She said we will rapidly get together and see if we can work something out,” he added. Shortly after speaking with the press, Trump posted on Truth Social that “talks will begin rapidly.”
Von der Leyen also confirmed the discussion earlier in the day, writing on X that she had a “good call” with Trump. “The EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship,” she posted. “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively. To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”
Trump has frequently criticized what he refers to as “non-monetary trade barriers,” as well as nations or trading blocs that maintain trade deficits with the United States—situations where the U.S. imports more than it exports to those partners.
