President Donald Trump praised potential trade negotiations with the European Union, just days after threatening 50% tariffs on the bloc’s goods.
Trump threatened to impose the costly tariffs on the European Union starting on June 1, complaining last week that the negotiations were “going nowhere.” He ended up delaying the tariffs on Sunday after speaking with the president of the European Commission.
He later offered rare praise on Tuesday to the EU for setting dates to meet with the administration about a potential deal.
“I was extremely satisfied with the 50% Tariff allotment on the European Union, especially since they were ‘slow walking (to put it mildly!), our negotiations with them. Remember, I am empowered to ‘SET A DEAL’ for Trade into the United States if we are unable to make a deal, or are treated unfairly,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“I have just been informed that the E.U. has called to quickly establish meeting dates. This is a positive event, and I hope that they will, FINALLY, like my same demand to China, open up the European Nations for Trade with the United States of America. They will BOTH be very happy, and successful, if they do!!!” he added.
Trump announced last month that he would impose tariffs on most imports into the United States. However, he paused most of the tariffs just days later after widespread backlash over the taxes on goods.
He has frequently targeted the EU and claimed last week that the bloc was formed “for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE.” He also said in March that the EU was “one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World.”
Trump’s decision to walk back his threat came after he spoke with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, on Sunday. According to Trump, she wants to “get down to serious negotiations.”
“I told anybody that would listen, they have to do that,” Trump told reporters on Sunday in Morristown, New Jersey, as he prepared to return to Washington. Von der Leyen, Trump said, vowed to “rapidly get together and see if we can work something out.”
In a social media post Friday, Trump had threatened to impose the 50% tariff on EU goods, complaining that the 27-member bloc had been “very difficult to deal with” on trade and that negotiations were “going nowhere.” Those tariffs would have kicked in starting June 1.
But the call with von der Leyen appeared to smooth over tensions, at least for now.
“I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so,” Trump said on Truth Social shortly after he spoke with reporters on Sunday evening.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stories by Lauren Sforza
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