Trump threatens 50% tariffs on EU products amid stalled trade talks

On May 23, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a recommendation for a 50% tariff on goods imported from the European Union, citing stalled trade negotiations as the reason for this increase. Trump expressed significant discontent with the EU's trade practices, claiming they have led to an unacceptable trade deficit of over $250 million per year. He stated that discussions with EU representatives have not yielded satisfactory progress, leading to his decision to impose such steep tariffs, which are set to commence on June 1, 2025. This move marks a significant escalation in Trump's ongoing trade war with the EU. In a series of posts on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump detailed his views on the EU's trade barriers, corporate penalties, and other practices he perceives as detrimental to American businesses. The announcement was made shortly after he threatened a 25% tariff on Apple products, including iPhones, if the company does not move manufacturing to the United States. Following these posts, stock markets in both the US and Europe experienced declines, reflecting investor concern over the potential fallout from Trump's trade policy. Trump has long accused the EU of manipulating trade to its advantage, and this announcement reinforced his administration's hardline stance on tariffs. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is expected to discuss these developments with European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in the coming days. The upcoming meetings are critical, as the window for negotiations is narrowing before the proposed tariffs take effect. This move is likely to rekindle fears of a trade war, which had seemed to cool in recent weeks following some progress on negotiations with other trading partners, such as India. Analysts have warned that the imposition of such high tariffs could further strain relations with a significant economic partner, especially with the EU being the second-largest buyer of American exports in 2022. The developments signal a deteriorating relationship between the United States and the EU, as both sides begin to reassess their trade strategies amid escalating tensions over tariffs.