Trump postpones EU tariffs: A touch of diplomacy in the crisis!

Trump postpones EU tariffs: A touch of diplomacy in the crisis!

US President Donald Trump announced today that he will postpone the introduction of new tariffs on imports from the European Union (EU). These tariffs, which will reach a level of 50 percent, were originally supposed to come into force at the beginning of June 2023. However, after a conversation with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the new import fees will now be postponed until July 9, 2023, reports zvw.de.

The threat of these high tariffs comes in the context of an ongoing trade conflict between the USA and the EU. The measure is seen as important for economic stability as Trump seeks to minimize pressure on the economy and trade relations in a less conflictual way. Experts and analysts must now closely monitor the possible impact of this postponement on the global economy and, in particular, on transatlantic relations.

Diplomatic efforts in the EU

The EU's reaction to Trump's tariff threats has so far been calm. Maroš Šefčovič, the EU Commissioner in charge of EU trade policy, is a key figure in this diplomatic process. He has over 35 years of experience in foreign policy and speaks both English and French. He was Vice President of the European Commission from 2017 to 2021 and is seen as crucial in defusing the tariff conflict with the US. Šefčovič is committed to conducting the negotiations with a smile, which underlines his diplomatic approach, such as sueddeutsche.de reported.

The EU has always emphasized in the past that the threatened tariffs would be harmful to companies and consumers. In a recent exchange in the European Parliament, which took place after Trump's re-election in November 2024, the need to maintain transatlantic cooperation was debated. In these discussions, leading MEPs expressed their willingness to help strengthen transatlantic relations.

Political reactions and outlooks

The European Parliament held an intensive debate on the Trump administration's tariff threats on February 12, 2025. Adam Szłapka, Polish Minister for European Affairs, expressed the need for open, rules-based and fair international trade. Similarly, Bernd Lange, chairman of the Committee on International Trade, pointed to the possibility of counter-tariffs if the US administration insists on its plans. Sophie Wilmès, deputy chair of the parliamentary delegation for relations with the US, stressed the importance of protecting against the tariffs to avoid further escalating economic tensions, according to europarl.eu.

Overall, the current situation reveals the associated challenges and opportunities arising from the US-EU trade relationship. The coming weeks, especially until the new deadline in July, remain crucial for players on both sides of the Atlantic.