U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the introduction of a 30% tariff on imports of goods from the European Union and Mexico, set to take effect on August 1, 2025. This decision follows prolonged but fruitless negotiations with these key trading partners of the United States.
This is reported by Business • Media
EU and Mexico Prepare for Negotiations on New Tariffs
Letters notifying about the new tariffs were sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and published on the Truth Social platform. In response, both parties expressed concerns about the fairness of such tariffs but confirmed their willingness to continue negotiations to avoid trade escalation.
“The European Union will allow full, open access to the U.S. market, with no tariffs for us, to reduce the significant trade deficit,” Trump wrote in a letter to the EU.
In response, Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the 30% tariff could disrupt critical transatlantic supply chains, harming businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. She noted that the EU is prepared to defend its interests, including through proportional countermeasures if the situation demands it.
Tariffs for Other Countries and Economic Consequences
In addition to the EU and Mexico, the United States has sent similar letters to 23 other countries, including Canada, Japan, and Brazil. Tariffs ranging from 20% to 50% are planned for them, with a separate 50% tariff on copper.
The Mexican Ministry of Economy emphasized during bilateral talks with U.S. representatives that it views such actions as unfair and does not agree with them. President Trump, in turn, linked the introduction of tariffs to the fight against drug imports, particularly fentanyl, highlighting Mexico’s insufficient efforts to combat drug cartels.
The new 30% tariff will be in addition to the existing tariffs on steel (50%), aluminum (50%), and automobiles (25%). According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, revenue from tariffs has already exceeded $100 billion in the current fiscal year, significantly boosting the budget but simultaneously straining relations with key allies.
Meanwhile, Japan and Canada, as well as some European countries, have begun to reassess their security cooperation with Washington and seek alternative arms suppliers. Within the EU, there are also disagreements among leaders: Germany advocates for a swift new agreement to protect industry, while France insists on rejecting the unilateral terms proposed by the U.S.
Currently, the United States only has preliminary agreements with the United Kingdom, China, and Vietnam, although Trump previously promised to finalize dozens of new trade agreements within the year. At the end of May 2025, the U.S. Court of International Trade overturned part of Trump’s tariffs due to the president exceeding his authority.