The European Commission announced that President Ursula Von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump have agreed to expedite trade negotiations and maintain close communication following a phone call last night.
Mr. Trump indicated he would delay his proposed 50% tariffs on the European Union until 9 July, after describing his conversation with Ms. Von der Leyen as “very nice.”
Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho informed reporters, “While we won’t divulge the specifics of the discussions, I can confirm we are addressing the world’s largest and most significant trade relationship.”
“These negotiations are intricate, requiring time; however, this call has provided new momentum, and we will proceed accordingly.”
The Commission mentioned that a negotiating team, led by trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, is in place and is expected to have a phone conversation with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick this afternoon.
On Friday, Mr. Trump threatened to apply steep tariffs as early as 1 June, asserting that discussions with the EU regarding his previous tariffs were “going nowhere.”
Ms. Von der Leyen “just called me and requested an extension on the 1 June deadline, expressing her desire to engage in serious negotiations,” Mr. Trump stated to reporters before boarding Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey.
“And I agreed to that,” he added.
Earlier, Ms. Von der Leyen mentioned on X that she had a “good call” with Mr. Trump but noted that “to reach a favorable deal, we need time until 9 July.”
“Europe is prepared to advance discussions promptly and decisively,” she affirmed.
Ursula Von der Leyen pledged to act ‘swiftly’ in reaching a trade agreement with the United States.
The EU and the United States have been negotiating to prevent a full-scale transatlantic trade war and had consented to suspend any tariff actions on both sides until July.
However, Mr. Trump’s threat on Friday significantly raised the stakes.
The US leader asserted he was “not looking for a deal” with the EU, reiterating his long-held belief that the bloc was established to “take advantage” of the United States.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised the recent phone call between Ms. Von der Leyen and Mr. Trump.
At the Global Economic Summit in Killarney, Co Kerry, Mr. Martin emphasized the necessity for the EU and the US to reach a “realistic and reasonable deal.”
Calls for ‘serious negotiations’
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil separately urged for “serious negotiations” with the US, noting discussions he had with his US counterpart Scott Bessent on the issue.
“We do not need additional provocations, just serious negotiations,” Mr. Klingbeil, who also serves as Germany’s vice chancellor, stated to Bild newspaper.
“US tariffs pose risks to the US economy as much as to the German and European economies,” Mr. Klingbeil cautioned.
Mr. Trump has imposed three sets of tariffs on the bloc: a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum, a similar one on automobiles, followed by a 20% “reciprocal” duty on all imports—which is currently suspended pending talks, though a baseline 10% tariff remains in effect.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, who engaged in discussions with his US counterparts on Friday, responded to Mr. Trump’s latest comments by stating that the bloc was “committed to achieving a deal” but emphasized that trade relationships should be built on “mutual respect, not threats.”
The EU has announced intentions to impose tariffs on US goods worth nearly €100 billion if negotiations fail to reach a satisfactory outcome.
The US trade deficit with the European Union was $236 billion in 2024.
However, when accounting for services, where US companies dominate, the European Commission estimates the US trade deficit was approximately €50 billion.
EU and the US still remain far apart on tariffs – EU trade spokesperson
Meanwhile, an economic security and trade spokesperson from the European Commission stated that the EU and US are still quite distant in their tariff negotiations, although the gap is not insurmountable.
Olof Gill mentioned that if Mr. Trump’s statement last night serves as a catalyst for both parties to engage seriously and address that gap meaningfully, then they are prepared to move forward.
“We have engaged in several direct, face-to-face discussions with the Americans, seeking to advance these talks in good faith with energy. If yesterday signals a shift on the other side of the Atlantic, we welcome that and are ready to engage,” Mr. Gill remarked.
During an interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he stated that the EU aims to disregard any surrounding noise and proceed with negotiations.
“We aim to overlook any bluster occurring in the background; we are keen to engage in talks, and this has always been our position.”
Mr. Gill stated that the EU has proposed what it believes to be a “very, very solid basis for negotiation, where both parties can benefit, and companies and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic can achieve genuine gains.”
The European Commission’s primary focus is maintaining competitiveness and completing the single market, he added.
