U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would impose a 50% tariff on the European Union (EU) starting a week later, while Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, stated on the 25th (local time) that "we need time until July 9 to reach a good agreement."
President von der Leyen noted that she had a phone call with President Trump via X (formerly Twitter) that afternoon. July 9 is the date when the reciprocal tariff suspension that President Trump originally announced last month will expire, essentially meaning that he wants the tariff suspension to continue as planned.
The call took place two days after President Trump's tariff warning. The contents of the conversation have not been disclosed. President von der Leyen also said, "The EU is ready to advance negotiations swiftly and decisively."
On the same day, Lars Klingbeil, Germany's finance minister, emphasized in an interview with the German media Bild that "we need serious negotiations, not further provocation," adding, "America's tariffs pose a threat to the U.S. economy as much as they affect Germany and the European economy." However, many other member countries have remained silent, seemingly concerned about provoking President Trump.
Previously, on the 23rd, President Trump expressed frustration over the lack of progress in negotiations with the EU, warning, "I propose imposing a 50% tariff starting June 1." He further stated, "Now is the time to play the game in the way I know," effectively reversing the tariff policy he announced.