Washington, D.C. – In a significant escalation of trade tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a 50 percent tariff on all imports from the European Union, set to take effect on June 1, 2025. The move comes amid ongoing disputes over trade policies and market access.
President Trump criticized the EU for exploiting the United States through various economic barriers and practices. Posting on the social media platform Truth Social, he stated, “The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on trade, has been very difficult to deal with. Their powerful Trade Barriers, VAT taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the US of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable. Our discussions with them are going nowhere.”
He continued, “Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The proposal stands in contrast to recent efforts by EU officials to de-escalate global trade tensions. Just last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had welcomed Trump’s decision to pause reciprocal tariffs on a number of countries, describing it as a necessary step towards economic stability.
“I welcome President Trump’s announcement to pause reciprocal tariffs. It’s an important step towards stabilising the global economy,” von der Leyen posted on X on April 10.
She further emphasized the need for fair and predictable trade conditions: “Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function. Tariffs are taxes that only hurt businesses and consumers. That’s why I’ve consistently advocated for a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the European Union and the United States.”
Von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to open and fair trade, stating, “The European Union remains committed to constructive negotiations with the United States, with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade.”
“At the same time, Europe continues to focus on diversifying its trade partnerships, engaging with countries that account for 87 per cent of global trade and share our commitment to a free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas,” she added.
The proposed tariffs mark a potential turning point in transatlantic economic relations and are likely to prompt further diplomatic and market responses in the weeks ahead.