US President Donald Trump has threatened 50% tariffs on imports from the EU, Kallanish learns.

On Friday, he wrote on the Truth Social platform that the US has an “unacceptable” $250 million trade deficit with the bloc and discussions between the two parties “are going nowhere”.

“I am recommending a straight 50% tariff on the EU, starting on 1 June 2025,” Trump said. “There is no tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the US.”

Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, told reporters that he participated in a phone call with US trade representative Jamieson Greer and commerce secretary Howard Lutnick later Friday. Šefčovič emphasised to the US participants that Europe intends to continue working toward a resolution that is satisfactory for both parties.

In televised remarks, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the new 50% tariff proposal should serve as a catalyst for more serious concessions from Europe. Trump’s new threat arrived in the aftermath of meetings of the G7 finance ministers in Canada.

“The president believes the EU’s proposals have not matched the quality of offers we’ve seen from other key partners,” Bessent said. “I would hope this would light a fire under the EU.”

Last month, Washington imposed a “reciprocal” tariff of 20% on the EU, but it was reduced to 10% until 8 July to allow for negotiations. The bloc is currently subject to a 25% duty on cars, certain auto parts, light trucks, steel and aluminium, plus a 2.5% tariff on EU-made cars.

Since launching sweeping tariffs on all of its trading partners, the US has signed agreements to ease trade tensions with the UK and China.