According to France24, this decision was made just 2 days after Mr. Trump threatened to trigger a new tax rate from June 1 because he thought that negotiations with the EU were not making progress.
Speaking to the press before boarding the Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey, Mr. Trump said: The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Layen has just called me... and suggested extending the deadline by June 1. She said she wanted to start serious negotiations, and I agreed.
On social network X, Ms. von der Leyen confirmed the call and said: "To reach a good deal, we need more time until July 9." She also stressed that Europe is ready to accelerate negotiations quickly and decisively.
The European Commission, the trade policy agency of the EU-27, is working to reach a deal with Washington to avoid a comprehensive transatlantic trade conflict. The two sides had previously agreed to temporarily suspend tariffs until July.
However, Mr. Trump's harsh statement on May 23 has escalated tensions. At the time, he stressed that he was not seeking a deal with the EU and reiterated the view that the bloc was created to use the United States.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called for serious talks with Washington on May 25. He said he had discussed with his American counterpart Scott Bessent and stressed: "We do not need any more provincecial actions, but need serious negotiations." He warned that the new tariffs would harm not only the US economy but also Germany and Europe.
So far, Trump has imposed three tariffs on the EU: 25% on steel and aluminum, additional tariffs on cars, and a 20% "repayable" tax on all imports from Europe - this tax rate is currently suspended while maintaining a basic tax of 10%.
EU trade talks chief Maros Sefcovic, who met with US officials on May 23, said the bloc was committed to reaching an agreement, but stressed that trade relations must be based on mutual respect, not threats.
In the event of a failed negotiation, the EU has planned to impose tariffs on US goods worth nearly 100 billion euros (about $113 billion).
The US trade deficit with the EU in 2024 will reach 236 billion USD. However, when including services - a sector dominated by US businesses - the European Commission estimates the actual US deficit at only about 55 billion USD.
