EU and Mexico Criticize Trump’s Plan for 30% Tariffs
The European Union (EU) and Mexico are speaking out against U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to add 30% tariffs on their goods starting August 1.
Mexico called Trump’s plan an “unfair deal” and said it would not compromise its national independence. The EU’s top leader, Ursula von der Leyen, said the EU could hit back with “proportionate countermeasures” if needed, but still hopes to keep talking with the U.S.
Trump warned that if either country retaliates with their own tariffs, he’ll raise the U.S. tariffs even higher than 30%.
Trump also announced new tariffs this week on goods from Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Brazil.
In a letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump said the U.S. has had enough of what he called unfair trade practices. He wrote that the U.S. has had long-term trade deficits because of EU tariffs and trade rules. He said the relationship between the U.S. and EU has not been equal or fair.
Trump sent similar letters to both the EU and Mexico. In them, he made it clear that any retaliation would lead to even higher tariffs from the U.S.
Speaking in a pre-recorded interview with Fox News on Saturday, Trump said other countries are “very upset now,” but claimed that the tariffs are bringing “hundreds of billions of dollars” into the U.S.
Trump has often criticized the EU on trade. On April 2, he proposed a 20% tariff on EU goods and even threatened to raise that to 50% if trade talks didn’t move forward. Talks between Washington and Brussels were supposed to wrap up by July 9, but no deal has been announced.
In 2024, the U.S. trade deficit with the EU was over $235 billion.
Von der Leyen said the EU still hopes to reach a deal by August 1 but warned it will protect its interests if needed. She added, “Few economies in the world are as open and fair in trade as the EU.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said he strongly disagreed with Trump’s announcement. He urged the EU to speed up plans for strong countermeasures.
Bernd Lange, a senior EU trade official, said Trump’s move was “a slap in the face” and not the way to treat an important partner. He said the EU should respond quickly, possibly by Monday.
Some EU leaders still want a deal. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she believes a fair agreement can be reached. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof called for unity and a “mutually beneficial” deal with the U.S.
Germany’s auto industry warned that the tariffs would raise costs for carmakers and said it’s worrying to see trade tensions grow again.
In a letter to Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump said Mexico hasn’t done enough to stop drug trafficking. He said, “Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough.”
President Sheinbaum said she believes a deal can still be reached with the U.S., but made it clear that Mexico’s sovereignty is not up for negotiation.
It’s unclear whether Mexico’s goods under the 2020 U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will be affected by the new tariffs. The White House has said Canadian goods will be exempt.
Earlier this week, Canada received a letter warning of a possible 35% tariff.
So far, the Trump administration has announced tariffs on 24 countries and the EU, which includes 27 countries.
Back in April, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said the goal was to reach “90 deals in 90 days.” So far, Trump has announced early deals with the U.K. and Vietnam, while talks with others continue.
