EU-US, clash over duties: von der Leyen calls on Trump to avert squeeze from 1 June

Tension over trade relations: Brussels aims to buy time until 9 July. US president insists on 50% tariffs. ‘No deal to seek, it’s already fixed’

The European Union is trying to curb the US trade offensive. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a telephone conversation with President Donald Trump today, after the latter announced his intention to bring forward to 1 June the application of 50% tariffs on European imports, overriding the agreed break until 9 July.

It was von der Leyen herself who made the telephone meeting known on social media, calling it “a good phone call” and stressing the importance of economic relations between the two blocs: ‘We are ready to continue the talks quickly and decisively. For a good agreement, however, we need time until 9 July,” he wrote on X.

Trump: ‘The duty is already decided’

However, the US president appears intent on proceeding without waiting. Already on Friday he had declared that “there is no agreement to be reached, the deal has already been set: it is 50-50”, reiterating his willingness to impose new tariffs due to the stalemate in the negotiations. In his latest post on Truth Social, Trump denounced an “unacceptable” trade relationship with Europe, citing trade barriers, tax impositions and alleged discrimination against American companies: “The annual deficit with the EU exceeds $250 billion”.

Despite the harshness of the message, Trump left open a timid possibility of postponement: “If someone comes along and wants to build a power plant here, I can talk to them about a small extension,” he said from the White House.

Brussels attempts mediation

The European Commission, meanwhile, has tried to keep diplomatic channels active. Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, after talks with US representatives Jamieson Greer and Howard Lutnick, reiterated Brussels’ commitment to a shared solution: ‘We are ready to work in good faith. Transatlantic trade must be based on mutual respect, not threats,’ he wrote.

However, concern remains high in Brussels about the possibility of trade escalation. Should Washington proceed with the introduction of tariffs as of 1 June, the risk is that of a new economic crisis between two of the world’s largest trading partners.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)