Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on EU Imports Starting June 1

Washington : In a move that could escalate transatlantic trade tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on imports from the European Union, citing stalled negotiations and accusing the 27-member bloc of obstructing progress.

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed frustration with the lack of movement in trade talks, stating that discussions with the EU “are going nowhere.” He added that he is recommending “a straight 50% tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025.”

The announcement sent U.S. stock futures tumbling, with markets reacting sharply to the prospect of heightened tariffs between the world’s largest economy and its biggest trading partner.

If implemented, the proposed tariff would represent a dramatic increase from the current baseline U.S. import duty of 10 percent on EU goods, significantly raising the stakes in an already tense economic relationship.

Last month, Trump introduced a series of sweeping tariffs targeting multiple countries, including the EU, with sector-specific duties on automobiles, steel, and aluminum — specifically those not produced in the United States. The announcement initially rattled markets, prompting a subsequent 90-day suspension on most of the new levies to allow for further negotiations, while maintaining the 10 percent base rate.

However, talks with the EU have reportedly lagged behind those with other trading partners. In response to the lack of progress, the European Union has warned it could retaliate by slapping tariffs on U.S. goods worth up to €100 billion ($113 billion) if negotiations fail to ease trade restrictions on European exports.

In his Friday post, Trump criticized the EU, alleging it was “formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE,” and described the ongoing negotiations as “difficult.”

The looming threat of a 50 percent tariff raises the possibility of a broader trade conflict with the EU, as both sides brace for what could become a contentious economic standoff.