U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that a 30% tariff will be imposed on imports from the European Union and Mexico, with the measure set to take effect starting August 1, 2025.
Trump made the official announcement through letters addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the contents of which were subsequently posted on his social media platform, Truth Social. In his communication with President Sheinbaum, Trump acknowledged Mexico’s recent collaboration on border security, but noted that the efforts have not met his administration’s expectations.
Addressing the European Union, Trump stated that EU goods will be exempt from the new tariff only if the bloc or its member companies shift production or manufacturing operations to the United States. He further warned that any retaliatory tariffs introduced by the EU or Mexico will be matched by an equivalent increase on top of the initial 30% tariff imposed by the U.S.
Despite recent progress in transatlantic trade negotiations—after Trump backed down from a previous proposal to implement a 50% tariff on EU products—the bloc still received notification of the new tariff decision. The European Union had been seeking a provisional agreement that would exempt it from such measures, but these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.
In response, Ursula von der Leyen commented that the planned 30% tariffs on EU exports could severely disrupt vital supply chains between the U.S. and Europe, with negative consequences for businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic. She emphasized that the EU is open to further discussions with the aim of reaching an agreement before the August 1 deadline. At the same time, von der Leyen made clear that the bloc is prepared to implement proportionate countermeasures to protect European interests if necessary.
