Audio By Carbonatix
US President Donald Trump has agreed to extend a deadline to negotiate tariffs with the European Union until 9 July.
It comes after President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said she had a "good call" with Trump on Sunday.
Last month, Trump announced a 20% tariff on most EU goods, but later halved it to 10% until 8 July to allow time for negotiations. On Friday, Trump expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations with the EU and threatened to impose 50% tariffs.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said Von der Leyen told him "we will rapidly get together and see if we can work something out", posting later on Truth Social that it was his "privilege to extend the deadline".
Von der Leyen earlier said she was ready to move "swiftly" to agree a trade deal with the US, but that the bloc needed until 9 July to agree a "good deal".
In remarks to reporters at the White House on Friday afternoon, hours before talks with the bloc, Trump said he planned to raise tariffs on all goods sent to the US from the EU to 50% by 1 June, citing impatience at negotiations.
Later on Friday, the EU's trade chief Maroš Šefčovič reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to securing a fair deal.
Following a call with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, he said: "The EU's fully engaged, committed to securing a deal that works for both."
He continued: "EU-US trade is unmatched and must be guided by mutual respect, not threats. We stand ready to defend our interests."
Trump has long criticised what he views as an unfair trade relationship with the EU, despite the bloc being one of Washington's largest trading partners. Last year, the EU exported more than $600bn (€528bn; £443bn) in goods to the US while importing $370bn worth, according to US government data.
The president has specifically raised concerns on trade in cars and agricultural goods. Although some tariffs were paused earlier this year to allow for negotiations, a 25% levy on EU steel and aluminium remains in place.
European leaders continue to warn against escalation. France and Germany have called for a diplomatic solution, stressing that tariffs would harm both economies.
The EU has threatened - and paused - its own measures against the US.
It said it would introduce a 25% tariff on €18bn ($20bn; £15bn) worth of US goods coming into Europe, but this was put on hold.
The bloc is also currently consulting on additional measures against US imports into the US valued at €95bn.
Latest Stories
-
Karpowership Ghana empowers female engineering students at UG to mark International Women’s Day
20 minutes -
Government weighs options on Ghanaian troops in Lebanon after missile attack
23 minutes -
Dumelo commits to supporting UG’s School of Engineering Sciences at during IWD engagement
28 minutes -
Ghana’s tax system from a gender lens: Why women-entrepreneurs are integral to tax revenue mobilisation
35 minutes -
Mahama to embark on 5-day working visit to South Korea
46 minutes -
When women lead, mining thrives…the story of Newmont’s Abena Acheampomaa Ankomah
47 minutes -
COPEC urges creation of strategic fuel reserve fund to shield Ghana from supply shocks
50 minutes -
Empowering women key to national prosperity – Mahama marks International Women’s Day
58 minutes -
Brogya Genfi rejects claims of leadership gap at Defence Ministry
2 hours -
Explosion reported outside US embassy in Oslo, police say
4 hours -
Trump accuses UK PM of seeking to ‘join wars after we’ve already won’
4 hours -
See the areas that will be affected by ECG’s planned maintenance today, March 8
5 hours -
First Lady champions ‘Give to Gain’ spirit for International Women’s Day
5 hours -
Ghana@69: Ghana mission in Canada promotes investments and partnerships
5 hours -
Lebanon condemns ‘grave breach’ as missiles strike Ghanaian UN base
6 hours
