Trade Cases

EU secures tariff deferral in trade talks with US

May 27, 2025

The European Union is fast-tracking trade negotiations with the US in the hope of avoiding the stiff tariffs threatened by President Trump.

Citing stalled talks, Trump lashed out at the EU on social media on Friday. He threatened a straight 50% tariff on all EU goods sent to the US, effective June 1.

By Sunday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had reached out to President Trump. After a “good call,” she said, “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively.”

She noted that they would need until July 9 “to reach a good deal.”

Trump said Tuesday morning on Truth Social that the EU’s call to set meeting dates was “a positive event.”

“I hope that they will, FINALLY, like my same demand to China, open up the European Nations for Trade with the United States of America. They will BOTH be very happy, and successful, if they do!!!” he commented.

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. Since 2007, she has held various editorial and marketing positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills. In 2021, after a five-year hiatus working across other industries, she returned to steel trade journalism, joining SMU in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at laura@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7869.