By M10News Political Desk | 12 July 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated global trade tensions by announcing a 30% tariff on imports from both the European Union and Mexico, effective from 1 August.
The sweeping measures were revealed in letters posted to his Truth Social account, where the president framed the move as a response to long-standing trade imbalances that he claims threaten national security.
The new tariffs could make a wide range of imported goods more expensive for American consumers, including European staples such as French cheese, Italian leather, German electronics, and Spanish pharmaceuticals.
In his letter to EU leaders, Trump accused the bloc of benefiting from what he called “non-reciprocal” trade relations.
“We have had years to discuss our trading relationship with the European Union,” he wrote. “We must move away from these long-term, large, and persistent trade deficits, engendered by your tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers.”
He added that the transatlantic partnership has become “far from reciprocal,” suggesting that the EU benefits disproportionately while imposing its own protectionist measures.
In a separate letter addressed to Mexico, Trump claimed the country had not done enough to prevent illegal activity spilling across the border.
He alleged that Mexico’s failure to contain criminal networks was contributing to the U.S. becoming a “narco-trafficking playground.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the EU could retaliate with proportionate countermeasures if the tariffs are imposed.
She said the bloc remained committed to negotiations but would act to protect its economic interests if the U.S. proceeded with the tariffs.
“Few economies in the world match the European Union’s level of openness and adherence to fair trading practices,” von der Leyen stated.
She added: “We remain ready to continue working toward an agreement by August 1. However, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests.”
Von der Leyen also cautioned that the tariffs risked “disrupting essential transatlantic supply chains,” a move that could damage industries on both sides of the Atlantic.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof echoed the warning, calling Trump’s announcement “very concerning and not the way forward.”
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Schoof said the European Commission had his government’s full support and urged EU unity in dealing with Washington.
Mexico’s economy ministry responded by saying a bilateral working group had been established to negotiate a possible alternative before the 30% tariffs take effect.
According to the ministry, Mexico had been informed that it would receive formal documentation from the U.S. and was actively seeking a diplomatic resolution.
Trump’s tariff offensive comes just months after his self-declared “liberation day” in April, during which he pledged to impose reciprocal tariffs on nations running trade surpluses with the U.S.
At the time, the U.S. imposed a 20% tariff on EU goods, though it was later paused amid resumed trade negotiations. The EU has since been subject to a 10% baseline tariff.
Despite the latest escalation, the EU’s executive commission says it still hopes to reach a deal with the U.S. before the August deadline.
If no agreement is reached, the bloc has signaled it is ready to retaliate with tariffs on hundreds of American products, including beef, auto parts, beer, and Boeing aircraft.
Editing by M10News Political Desk | Contact: info@m10news.com
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