European Union leaders are calling for swift negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump to avoid a looming transatlantic trade conflict, according to reporting by the Financial Times. The urgency comes after Trump threatened to impose 50% tariffs on EU goods if trade disputes are not resolved promptly.
The push for diplomacy was spearheaded by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who held an emergency call with Trump shortly after his announcement on Friday. Italian officials told the FT that Meloni then contacted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, encouraging her to prioritize dialogue over confrontation.
Meloni’s diplomatic efforts appear to have played a key role in de-escalating tensions. According to the Financial Times, von der Leyen spoke with Trump on Sunday and successfully persuaded him to delay the implementation of the proposed tariffs from June 1 to July 9. Trump confirmed the delay in a Truth Social post, adding that it was his “privilege” to postpone the measures and that talks would “begin rapidly.”
France, Spain, Ireland, and Belgium have all publicly backed a rapid resolution, expressing support for avoiding further strain on transatlantic economic ties. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the “good exchange” between von der Leyen and Trump and said he hoped for a return to “the lowest possible tariffs.”
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the progress signaled by the phone call was a move in the “right direction,” while Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called for a deal that would “protect jobs and investment.” Belgium, a heavily export-reliant economy, also welcomed von der Leyen’s “constructive” stance.
To further ease tensions, Meloni has proposed a high-level summit involving leaders of the EU’s largest economies, senior Commission officials, and President Trump. The summit could coincide with Trump’s upcoming trip to the Netherlands for the NATO summit on June 24–25.
Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho confirmed that the parties had agreed to “fast-track” negotiations, with another round of talks between the lead negotiators — EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick — scheduled for Monday. Von der Leyen is reportedly in “regular contact” with EU member states to align strategy, although the FT notes she has refrained from using stronger language about defending EU interests, unlike Šefčovič.
Nonetheless, the European Commission has prepared a retaliatory package worth €21 billion, which includes tariffs on key U.S. exports such as maize, wheat, motorcycles, and clothing. These will automatically come into effect on July 14 if no deal is reached. Additionally, consultations are ongoing about a broader €95 billion list of potential targets — including Boeing aircraft, automobiles, and bourbon whiskey.
Trump’s threat follows earlier moves to address the EU’s trade surplus with the U.S. He initially proposed 20% tariffs on April 2 — dubbed his “liberation day” — but scaled them down later that month in favor of a 90-day negotiation period, now set to end on July 9.
