President Donald Trump has agreed to delay the imposition of sweeping 50% tariffs on European Union imports until July 9, following a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The call marked the first public contact between the two leaders since Trump’s return to the White House and appears to have de-escalated what was shaping up to be a major transatlantic trade conflict.

“She said she wants to get down to serious negotiation,” Trump told reporters. “We had a very nice call.”

Von der Leyen confirmed she initiated the call and emphasized Brussels’ willingness to engage quickly. “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” she wrote on social media. However, she stressed that to reach “a good deal,” negotiators would need the full time until the original July 9 deadline set under the paused 90-day negotiation window.

Her tone suggested a shift from last week, when her chief trade negotiator Maroš Šefčovič demanded “mutual respect, not threats” and pledged to defend EU interests in the face of Trump’s tariff escalation.

Trump’s Pressure Strategy and EU’s Response

On Friday, Trump had announced his intention to impose the 50% tariffs starting June 1, citing a lack of progress and calling the EU’s negotiating posture “unsatisfactory.” The announcement startled European diplomats, who had assumed talks would continue until July.

White House officials expressed frustration at the EU’s slow response compared to other trade partners. “We just haven’t seen anything material come out of the EU,” said one official.

The EU is preparing a €21 billion retaliatory tariff package targeting American goods such as maize, motorcycles, wheat, and apparel. An additional €95 billion in potential tariffs is under discussion, including duties on aircraft, bourbon whiskey, and cars.

Despite the escalation, some observers view the latest dialogue as a possible opening. Stephen Moore, an outside adviser to Trump, called von der Leyen’s statement “a promising sign” and “a peace offering,” even if not as swift as Trump might wish.