Trump continues to flip flop over tariffs

On Friday 23rd May, US President Donald Trump announced 50% tariffs on all EU wine starting from the 1st June. On Sunday he delayed the tariff rise till the 9th July. Then, on Thursday 29th May, US courts announced Trump had no legal right to impose sweeping tariffs.

Earlier in the week after weeks of tough talking and a looming June deadline, Trump took to Truth Social to declare it was his “privilege” to grant the EU more time following what he called a “great call” with Ursula von der Leyen. In Brussels, Von der Leyen welcomed the delay, and EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič made it clear Europe won’t be intimidated. “Mutual respect, not threats,” he posted.

With the current 10% tariffs set to double or even rise to 50% soon, the EU is preparing to talk. Behind the bravado, Trump’s shifting stance signals anything but certainty.

All these negotiations are now up in the air as Trumps US tariffs are deemed illegal and executive overreach. If the tariffs are scrapped and determined to be illegal, all tariffs paid so far to the US will need to be repaid. Meanwhile tariffs collected by China from US companies will still be valid.