- Trump threatened a 50% tariff on all EU goods starting June 1, calling the bloc unfair on trade.
- Only the UK and China have reached partial deals so far, with the EU talks reportedly going “nowhere.”
- Trump also warned Apple of a 25% iPhone tariff if it doesn’t move production to the U.S.
President Trump’s heating up the trade talk again—and this time, the European Union is in the crosshairs. On Friday, he posted on Truth Social that the EU could face a massive 50% tariff on all its products starting June 1, claiming the bloc was “formed to take advantage of the U.S. on trade.”
“The European Union… has been very difficult to deal with,” Trump wrote, adding, “Our discussions with them are going nowhere!”
Leverage or Looming Reality?
Some say it’s just posturing—leverage ahead of more talks. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic was reportedly set to speak with U.S. Trade Rep Jamieson Greer later that day. But Trump’s tone wasn’t exactly diplomatic.
Just last month, the administration paused its so-called Liberation Day tariffs for 90 days, keeping a blanket 10% rate in place for everyone except China. So far, only the UK has reached a full deal, while China got a temporary reduction to 30% after trade talks in Switzerland.
What Trump Wants (and Doesn’t)
Trump’s frustration seems to center on what he calls “unfair trade practices” by the EU—things like value-added taxes, corporate penalties, trade barriers (monetary and non-monetary), and lawsuits against American companies. He claims these have led to a $250 billion trade deficit with the U.S., calling it “totally unacceptable.”
At a glance, his tariff threats seem meant to pressure EU leaders into striking individual deals. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News, “I’d hope this lights a fire under the EU.”
And time? Well, it might be running out. Trump hinted last week that one-on-one deals might give way to package rates soon, depending on how negotiations go.
UK Deal Sets the “Template”
The UK’s agreement—which includes a 10% tariff and increased access for U.S. agricultural goods—has been held up as a possible blueprint for future deals. According to Trump’s economic team, no deal will dip below the 10% threshold.
Meanwhile, back in China trade war territory, tariffs hit as high as 145% before being lowered in response to fentanyl-related issues and new agreements.
And if all that wasn’t enough… Trump also said this week he’d slap a 25% tariff on Apple’s iPhones if the company doesn’t bring more manufacturing back to U.S. soil.
So yeah—Europe isn’t the only one feeling the pressure.
