The European Union (EU) and Mexico have sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose a 30% tariff on their exports to the United States starting August 1, describing the move as unfair and provocative.
Mexico denounced the tariff threat as an “unfair deal,” firmly asserting that its national sovereignty is “non-negotiable.” Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the EU would respond with “proportionate countermeasures” if necessary. Despite the tough rhetoric, both the EU and Mexico emphasized their willingness to continue negotiations with Washington.
President Trump has stated that any retaliatory tariffs from U.S. trading partners would trigger even steeper duties from his administration, escalating the potential for a full-blown trade conflict.
In a letter addressed to von der Leyen on Friday, Trump wrote:
“We have had years to discuss our trading relationship with the European Union and have concluded that we must move away from these long-term, large, and persistent trade deficits, engendered by your tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers. Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal.”
The tariff threat against the EU and Mexico is part of a broader trade offensive. This week, Trump also announced new import duties on goods from Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Brazil, all set to take effect next month.
In a Fox News interview aired Saturday, Trump acknowledged that some countries are “very upset now,” but claimed the tariffs are bringing “hundreds of billions of dollars” into the U.S. economy.
The EU has long been a target of Trump’s trade policies. On April 2, he proposed a 20% tariff on goods from the bloc, later threatening to raise that to 50% as trade negotiations stalled. Talks between Washington and Brussels aimed at avoiding further escalation had aimed for a breakthrough before a July 9 deadline, but no progress was announced.
In 2024, the U.S. trade deficit with the EU reached $235.6 billion (€202 billion; £174 billion), according to the U.S. Trade Representative.
Von der Leyen reiterated that the EU remains committed to diplomacy, stating:
“We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. However, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including adopting proportionate countermeasures if required. Few economies in the world match the EU’s openness and commitment to fair trading practices.”
The EU’s 27 member states have expressed a unified hope of reaching a trade deal with Washington before the proposed tariff deadline.
