PresidentDonald Trumpannounced that he is extending the deadline for a 50% tariff onthe European Unionuntil July 9, a measure he had earlier said would go into effect on June 1. "I received a call today from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, requesting an extension on the June 1st deadline on the 50% Tariff with respect to Trade and the European Union," Trumpposted on Truth Socialon May 25, adding that von der Leyen said "talks would begin rapidly." In apost on X, von der Leyen described the conversation with Trump as a "good call." "The EU and US share the world's most consequential and close trade relationship," von der Leyen added. "Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively. To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9." Trump's announcement comes just two days after he threatened the EU with a 50% tariff after having paused reciprocal tariffs on it and other nations in April. "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 said ina social media poston May 23, a resumption of his threats after pausing reciprocal tariffs on the EU and other nations in April. "Our discussions with them are going nowhere!" the president added. Trump's proposed 50% tariffs on European Union goods would hit roughly $606 billion in imported products. That's the value of goods exported to the United States from the European Union in 2024, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The United States is the EU's largest trading partner, purchasing 21% of its exports, according to EU data. Contributing: Zac Anderson, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Donald Trump extends the 50% European Union tariff deadline to July 9
