Trump announces 30% tariffs on the European Union starting August 1

By The New Obs with AFP

Published on July 12, 2025 at 3:10 p.m. , updated July 12, 2025 at 5:01 p.m.

Reading time: 2 min.

Google News Subscribe

US President Donald Trump announced this Saturday, July 12, the imposition of 30% customs duties on Mexico and the European Union, further increasing trade tensions .

Also read

Trade War Interview : "Trump is creating chaos to change the world order"

These tariffs will take effect on August 1, Donald Trump indicated in separate letters published on his Truth Social platform. He justified these decisions by citing Mexico's role in trafficking drugs to the United States and a trade imbalance with the EU.

In early April, the American head of state threatened the EU with imposing 20% tariffs on European products exported to the United States. At the end of May, frustrated by the lack of progress in negotiations with the European bloc, he raised this rate to 50%, with an announced effective date of June 1st, ultimately postponed to August 1st.

Donald Trump warned that in the event of retaliatory measures from the EU and the imposition of a possible surcharge on American goods, this percentage would be added to the 30% announced on Saturday for European products entering the United States.

The EU responded by criticizing the decision, but said it remained ready to continue working on an agreement . According to diplomatic sources, the talks so far have been based on US tariffs of 10 percent, with several exceptions.

“Imposing 30% tariffs on EU exports would disrupt vital transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. “We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by 1 August. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if necessary,” she added.

Also read