- The EU agreed to fast-track trade talks with the U.S. after Trump delayed his 50% tariff threat to July 9.
- Trump warned he’s ready to set trade terms unilaterally if no fair deal is reached soon.
- Treasury Secretary Bessent said the EU’s slow process is due to internal disagreements among its 27 member states.
The European Union is suddenly moving fast on trade negotiations with the U.S., after President Trump threatened to slap a 50% tariff on EU imports. The warning clearly hit its mark—EU officials now say they’ll accelerate talks, buying some time before any new tariffs kick in.
The European Commission announced the update on Monday, after Trump and EU President Ursula von der Leyen had what’s being described as a “productive” phone call. Trump agreed to delay the tariff threat until July 9, giving both sides a narrow window to hammer out a deal.
“They agreed to fast-track the negotiations and stay in close contact,” said Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho. “These talks are complex and take time… but now there’s new momentum.”
Trump Keeps the Pressure On
Despite softening the deadline, Trump wasn’t exactly backing down. In a Truth Social post, he said he was “extremely satisfied” with the 50% tariff plan and took another jab at the EU for dragging their feet.
“They were ‘slow walking’ our negotiations,” Trump wrote. “I am empowered to SET A DEAL if we can’t make one—or if we’re treated unfairly.”
He added that he’d just been informed about the EU setting meeting dates and said he hoped Europe would, finally, open its markets to U.S. trade—just like he demanded with China. “They’ll both be very happy and successful if they do,” he added.
Background Drama: Tariffs, Delays, and Diplomacy
Trade talks between the U.S. and EU had stalled following a May 18 meeting between Vice President J.D. Vance, von der Leyen, and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The delay in progress prompted Trump’s public threats the very next day.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later chimed in, saying the tariff rhetoric was meant to “light a fire” under the EU. He pointed out that the EU’s biggest challenge is its own internal complexity: “It’s 27 countries represented by one group in Brussels, and some of those countries don’t even know what’s being negotiated.”
So, now the countdown’s on. Trump’s given the EU until early July to come to the table with something real—or risk seeing those steep tariffs go live. Whether they meet in the middle or end up in another trade war? That part’s still up in the air.
