Trump Proposes 50% Tariff on EU Imports Starting June 1

President Donald Trump has proposed a substantial 50% tariff on all imports from the European Union, effective June 1, 2025. This decision comes as he accuses the EU of exploiting the U.S. through various trade barriers, leading to a significant trade deficit. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed Trump's recent announcement to pause reciprocal tariffs for several countries, emphasizing the need for stable trade conditions. She advocates for a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the EU and the U.S. as both parties aim for fair and open trade practices. This proposal raises questions about the future of U.S.-EU trade relations and the broader implications for the global economy.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2025, 19:28 IST

Trump's Tariff Proposal

President Donald Trump has announced a significant 50% tariff on all imports from the European Union, set to take effect on June 1. He accused the EU of exploiting the United States through what he termed 'powerful trade barriers.'

In a post shared on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated, 'The European Union was established primarily to take advantage of the United States in trade and has proven to be quite challenging to negotiate with. Their formidable trade barriers, VAT taxes, unreasonable corporate penalties, non-monetary trade barriers, currency manipulations, and unjust lawsuits against American firms have resulted in a trade deficit exceeding $250 billion annually, which is entirely unacceptable. Our negotiations with them are yielding no results.'

He further remarked, 'Thus, I am proposing a straightforward 50% tariff on the European Union, commencing June 1, 2025. There will be no tariff on products manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this issue.'

Recently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her approval of Trump's decision to suspend reciprocal tariffs for numerous countries, describing it as a crucial step towards stabilizing the global economy amidst escalating trade tensions with China.

Von der Leyen stated on X, 'I appreciate President Trump's announcement to pause reciprocal tariffs. This is a vital move towards stabilizing the global economy.' She emphasized the importance of clear and predictable conditions for trade and supply chains, noting that tariffs are taxes that ultimately harm businesses and consumers. She has consistently advocated for a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the EU and the US, reaffirming the EU's commitment to open and fair trade. 'The European Union is dedicated to constructive negotiations with the United States, aiming for seamless and mutually beneficial trade,' she added. 'Simultaneously, Europe is focusing on diversifying its trade partnerships with countries that represent 87% of global trade and share our commitment to free and open exchanges of goods, services, and ideas.'