On Saturday, President Donald Trump warned of imposing 30% tariffs on Mexican and European Union goods, targeting two of the U.S.’s top trade partners. This move extends his aggressive tariff strategy, which has disrupted global commerce since he returned to office in January.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stating: “The United States will keep engaging with the EU, even though we face a massive trade deficit with them. However, we are moving forward—but only under terms that ensure fairer and more balanced trade.”
This year, Trump has rolled out multiple tariffs on U.S. trade partners, frequently adjusting them—pausing, increasing, or scaling back duties in a flurry of unpredictable policy shifts. The instability has left nations, businesses, and ordinary Americans struggling to navigate an increasingly uncertain economic landscape.
The EU and Mexico now face updated tariffs set to take effect August 1, joining an expanding roster of nations impacted by Trump’s recent trade measures. Since Monday, the former president has announced a series of import duties, with some rates reaching as high as 40%.
In his letters to both trading partners, Trump stated that the 30% tariff would apply to all imports, with certain exceptions like “Sectoral Tariffs,” including the preexisting 25% levy on automobiles.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded by reaffirming the EU’s willingness to negotiate, stating they remain “prepared to seek a resolution before the August 1 deadline.”
However, von der Leyen warned that the proposed 30% duty on European exports would disrupt transatlantic supply chains and negatively impact businesses and consumers in both regions. She emphasized the EU’s readiness to “implement appropriate defensive measures to protect European interests” if necessary.
The situation differs for Mexican imports, which have largely entered the U.S. tariff-free under the USMCA agreement negotiated during Trump’s presidency. In his correspondence with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump framed the new tariffs as a border security measure, claiming they would help stem the flow of fentanyl into the United States – repeating justification he’s used for previous Mexican tariffs.
“While Mexico has cooperated on border security, their efforts remain insufficient,” Trump stated in his letter.
Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard responded on social media, revealing that Mexican officials had protested the proposed tariffs during recent negotiations, calling them “discriminatory and unacceptable.” Both nations are currently exploring alternatives that would minimize economic disruption while addressing security concerns.
The Friday-dated tariff notices included a stark warning: any retaliatory measures would prompt additional U.S. countermeasures. Trump explicitly stated that “any tariff increases imposed on American goods will be matched dollar-for-dollar and added to our baseline 30% charge.”
