US President Donald Trump launched a trade war on Friday with the European Union as it threatened it with 50% duty on goods since June 1st.

“The European Union, which was created for the primary purpose of exploiting the United States in Trade, was very difficult in negotiations,” he wrote in a post on social media. “Our discussions with them do not lead anywhere! Therefore, I propose a 50% immediate duty to the European Union, starting from June 1, 2025. “

Trump’s ultimatum drastically shortened the timetable to reach an agreement to rescue the 1.6 trillion transatlantic trade relationship. euro: Initially imposed a 20% duty on most EU goods on April 2, then reduced it to 10% a week later and left 90 days to close a deal before the highest rate returned.

The European stock markets yesterday significant losses in the aftermath of Trump’s announcement. The DAX, consisting of 40 of the largest German companies, fell by 2.2%, while the French CAC 40 crossed by 2.7%. Gold, a traditional secure asset, increased by 2.1%. Brent crude oil fell by 1.1%.

The new threat came a few hours before a call between EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and US trademark Jameson Green to search for a trading basis to avoid a full -scale trade war.

Meanwhile, US President Trump also said yesterday that he would impose 25% duties on Apple, on Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers if they do not carry production to the US.

The EU -Trump conflict reveals the fundamental differences between the way the US and the EU think about trade, with the US president, clashing with the block approach.

“Trump’s demands seem to reflect the US’s deep frustration over the EU’s professional, calm and bureaucratic approach to trade negotiations – which conflicts with Trump’s willingness to quickly close agreements that look sexy, even if they mean by the European Council.”

“There is no clarity around US trade targets, which makes negotiations almost impossible for Europe,” Demarais added. “EU negotiators are left to wonder what the US requirements are really.”

“Let’s hope now that the EU is mobilized”

Speaking after Trump’s announcement, US Finance Minister Scott Bessed said he hoped to “mobilize the EU”, which he accused of showing less commitment to talks than Asian countries and Britain, which has already concluded a trade agreement with the US.

“The president believes that the EU’s proposals were not of the same quality we have seen from our other major commercial partners,” Bessed said in an interview with Fox News.

Before Bessed reprimands the EU that she is not negotiating in good faith, the Commission insisted that her proposal was serious and constructive.

“We sent them what we believe is an excellent, detailed, mutually beneficial proposal,” said Commission spokesman Olof Gill, supporting the EU’s approach to Washington’s talks.

The new document aims to strengthen markets in strategic sectors such as energy, as well as the development of 5G and 6g mobile networks. It also enhances strategic cooperation in areas that have undergone commercial surveys, resulting in US duties, such as steel and aluminum, semiconductors and cars.

EU offer also includes more imports of sensitive agricultural products.

The recent exchange of letters gave birth to the hope that talks between Brussels and Washington could finally make substantial progress after weeks of increasing frustration over the lack of commitment by the Trump government.

Sefcovic hopes to meet with Green in Paris in early June. The head of the EU trade department has made at least three publicly disclosed visits to Washington since Trump took over his duties in January.

Maros Shefkovic: “EU-US trade must be guided by mutual respect, not by threats”

Trade between the European Union and the United States must be guided by mutual respect rather than threats, EU chief trade leader, EU, said on Friday. Maros Sefkovicafter US President Donald Trump pressed 50% for European products on European products.

The European Commissioner for Trade wrote in a post on X that the European Commission was fully committed and committed to securing an agreement that would operate on both sides.

“The European Commission remains ready to work in good faith. The EU-US Trade is unparalleled and must be guided by mutual respect, not by threats. We are ready to defend our interests »says his post.

Some in Europe have seen Trump’s threats as an attempt to have influence on the block.

“All this is part of the negotiations. We will calmly look at the proposals and respond strongly and decisively, “Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on Friday during a weekly press conference.

But there were indications that the negotiations were not going well. An EU official described a previous US proposal as a list of desires with unrealistic and unilateral demands, Bloomberg said earlier. The EU aims to cooperate with the US and is seeking a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement. EU officials and many Member States remain cautious about whether the Trump government is moving with similar goals.

US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnik told Axios on Wednesday that some trade negotiations have proved “weak”.

The EU intends to proceed with the preparation of countermeasures if the negotiations do not result in a satisfactory result. The trade block has drawn up plans to hit US exports of 95 billion euros in response to Trump’s duties.

“We keep the same line: Decrease, but we are ready to answer,” French Minister of Commerce Laurent Martin wrote on Friday.