Today's News: Trump Postpones EU Tariffs Until July
The delay follows escalating rhetoric earlier in the week, including Trump’s statement that he was “not looking for a deal.”
Photo: Nathan Howard/Reuters
Overview
Date: May 25–26, 2025
Topic: Trump Postpones EU Tariffs After Von der Leyen Call
Summary: President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he would delay the imposition of a 50% tariff on all European Union imports until July 9, following a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The tariffs were originally set to begin on June 1 as part of Trump’s ongoing pressure campaign over trade imbalances and regulatory practices. Von der Leyen requested more time to negotiate, and Trump publicly agreed. The delay follows escalating rhetoric earlier in the week, including Trump’s statement that he was “not looking for a deal.” Both sides now say talks will proceed “swiftly and decisively.” Despite the delay, market and diplomatic uncertainty persists, with analysts warning of economic disruption if a resolution is not reached.
Sources
The New York Times: Trump delays 50 percent E.U. tariffs until July 9
The Washington Post: Trump says he will delay tariffs on European Union until July 9
The Wall Street Journal: Trump Pushes Back Deadline on EU Tariffs to July 9
Fox Business: Trump grants EU tariff extension after 'good call' with Ursula von der Leyen
Key Points
Trump agreed to delay the proposed 50% tariffs on EU goods until July 9 after a direct request from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen characterized the call as “good” and pledged that the EU is ready to advance talks “swiftly and decisively.”
Trump had previously said he was “not looking for a deal” and criticized the EU for trade barriers, VAT systems, and regulatory practices.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent supported the threat as a negotiating tactic, citing the EU’s “collective action” problem.
The tariffs are part of broader “reciprocal tariff” policies that have already seen fluctuating rates and pauses.
Analysts warn of global economic risks if the tariffs are implemented, including slowed growth and higher inflation.
Unique Highlights
The New York Times provided economic forecasts from Oxford Economics predicting a 0.2 percentage point reduction in GDP and a rise in inflation if the tariffs are implemented.
CNN included Trump’s remarks deprioritizing textile manufacturing in favor of military equipment and AI, showing strategic industrial preferences.
The Washington Post mentioned Trump’s claim of “very good talks” with Iran on a separate geopolitical issue, unrelated to the EU tariffs.
The Wall Street Journal noted European resistance to Trump's demand to keep a baseline 10% tariff, highlighting intra-European disagreements about concessions.
Fox Business emphasized that the call with von der Leyen followed a prior meeting between her and Vice President JD Vance, indicating coordination at multiple levels.
Contrasting Details
The New York Times reported that European negotiators had submitted a formal term sheet with specific tariff-reduction offers; CNN and Fox Business did not mention this.
CNN described Trump's past reciprocal tariffs as repeatedly “delayed,” suggesting an ongoing pattern; Fox Business framed the extension as a positive response to negotiation.
The Washington Post and NBC News included Trump’s earlier claim that “talks were going nowhere,” while The Wall Street Journal emphasized that EU officials believed talks were making progress before the Friday escalation.
Fox Business amplified Bessent's criticism that EU member states “don’t even know” what Brussels is negotiating, a sharper tone than CNN or The Washington Post, which presented Bessent’s remarks as softer motivation.
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