Donald Trump is convinced: the United States has been “too good, too long”. They offered their markets, stability and consumers to a greedy world. Result: an exploited America, vampirized by its business partners. This time would be over. Now, the time is in brutal rebalancing. And this goes through the favorite weapon of the former president: customs surntarifications. In his viewfinder? China, Africa … but especially Europe. Until a phone call changes (almost) everything.
In short
- Ursula von der Leyen obtained a postponement of customs from customs after a simple call.
- Europe was preparing customs reprisals valued at more than 100 billion euros against the United States.
- Trump threatened to impose 50 % of surcharge on all European imports from June.
- The commercial climate remains tense despite the postponement, the negotiations resume in apparent calm.
Ursula von der Leyen: a phone call to save the European economy?
The idea of a “Liberation Day”where the United States would break the chains of its commercial dependence, has been around the world, even in Wall Street and in the crypto industry. Trump wanted to hit hard. THE June 1st had to mark a turning point. He was threatening Surchase all European products by 50 %. In Africa, the fear of a domino effect was palpable. In China, Beijing was preparing for a new affront and new disturbing economic choices.
In Europe, Ursula von der Leyen won her phone. She called Trump. Result :
I had a good call with President Trump. Europe is ready to move forward quickly. To achieve a good agreement, we would need time until July 9.
Trump confirmed: ” Ursula has just called me … She asked me a delay and told me want a serious negotiation. »»
Behind these diplomatic formulasit is an unexpected customs truce. A five -week stayobtained without warning. A feat for von der Leyen, given the bellicose tone adopted by Trump two days before.
Europe threatened to retaliate: when the trade war borders on the burst
The European economy was preparing to counterattack. Faced with the surcharges announced, Brussels had drawn A list of American products targeted. Potential value of reprisals: 116 billion euros. Wine, cars, planes or American pharmaceuticals were in sight.
Ursula von der Leyen, in A solemn press releasealerted:
The prices announced will have massive consequences. The global economy will suffer from it.
She evoked An immediate price increase for citizensespecially the most vulnerable.
For his part, Trump repeated that ” The EU was created to take advantage of the United States “And hammered that” America does not want an agreement, only justice ». The surcharges already in force – 25 % on steel and aluminum – remained intact. A 20 % “reciprocal rate” had been announced, before being suspended.
The trade war was no longer a threat. She had become imminent. In this context, European negotiators multiplied exchanges to avoid climbing who would have shaken the economy of the two blocks.
Subsis or lasting peace? What the following reserves for the transatlantic economy
Today, precarious calm reigns. The deadline of June 1 has been postponed. The new deadline runs until July 9. This respite does not guarantee anything. Trump has already threatened to revive price increases. Maros Šefčovič, European Commerce Commissioner, warned:
Transatlantic trade must be guided by mutual respect, not by threats.
For his part, Trump blows hot and cold. He describes the call of Ursula as ” very pleasant “, But castigates” European bureaucratic slowness ». Negotiations resume. But the economy remains suspended from each presidential tweet.
Key figures to remember:
- The US-EU trade deficit was $ 236 billion in 2024;
- Europe threatened 116 billion euros in customs reprisals;
- The rights in force include 25 % on steel, aluminum, and 10 % on all imports;
- A surcharge of 50 % on all European products was mentioned, which immediately had an effect on the price of Bitcoin, then suspended.
This stay maintains more doubts than certainties. The European economy, taken in vice between threats and diplomacy, must preserve its interests without provoking climbing. Behind the figures, it is a war of the stories that is played out. Washington displays his strength, Brussels plays the watch. To prevent this major economic relationship from switching to chaos, some in Brussels are already starting to evoke another track: that of turning to the BRICS. A strategic alternative that could well redistribute cards worldwide.
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