DONALD Trump has announced the EU and Mexico are set to face a whopping 30 per cent tariffs on imports to the US starting from August.
Trump announced the tariffs on two of the US’s biggest trading partners in letters posted to his social media account.
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And he threatened to impose even higher import taxes if either of the US trading partners decided to retaliate.
In his letter to the EU, Trump said that the US trade deficit was a national security threat.
“We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with The European Union, and we have concluded we must move away from these long-term, large, and persistent Trade Deficits, engendered by your Tariff, and Non-Tariff Policies, and Trade Barriers, Trump wrote in the letter to the EU.
“Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.”
EU chief Ursula Von Der Leyen hit out Saturday at new tariffs threatened by Trump, but said the EU still wanted to work for a trade deal with Washington.
“Imposing 30 per cent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” von der Leyen said in a statement.
“We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1.
“At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”
Trump’s announcement to slap the EU with fresh tariffs sparked major reactions from the various leaders.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s office said in a statement: ” We trust in the goodwill of all players in the field in order to reach a fair agreement that can strengthen the West as a whole, given that – particularly in the current scenario – it would make no sense to trigger a trade clash between the two sides of the Atlantic.
“It is now crucial to remain focused on the negotiations, avoiding polarisations that would make reaching an agreement more complex.”
Meanwhile, Dutch PM Dick Schoof said : “The US announcement of 30% tariffs on goods imported from the European Union is concerning and not the way forward.
“The European Commission can count on our full support. As the EU we must remain united and resolute in pursuing an outcome with the United States that is mutually beneficial.”
The EU tariff is also markedly steeper than the 20 per cent levy Trump unveiled in April, as negotiations with the bloc continue.
Meanwhile, fresh duties for Mexico announced by Trump would be higher than the 25 per cent levy he imposed on Mexican goods earlier this year.
Although products entering the United States under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are exempted.
In his letter to Mexico‘s leader, Trump acknowledged that the country has helped stem the flow of undocumented migrants and fentanyl into the United States.
But he said the country has not done enough to stop North America from turning into a Narco-Trafficking Playground.
He wrote: “Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough. “Starting August 1, 2025, we will charge Mexico a Tariff of 30% on Mexican products sent into the United States.”
Since returning to the presidency in January, Trump has unleashed sweeping tariffs on allies and competitors alike, roiling financial markets and raising fears of a global economic downturn.
But his administration is coming under pressure to secure deals with trading partners after promising a flurry of agreements.
So far, US officials have only unveiled two pacts, with Britain and Vietnam, alongside temporarily lower tit-for-tat duties with China.
Meanwhile, three EU officials told Reuters that the tariff announcement on EU goods was rather a negotiating tactic by Trump.
Canada had earlier received a similar letter setting out 35 per cent tariffs on its goods. A US official earlier told AFP that the USMCA exemption was similarly expected to remain for Canada.
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