Trump announces 30 per cent US import tariff for EU from 1 August
US president Donald Trump has announced that he will impose a 30 per cent import tariff on the European Union from 1 August. The EU warns that such a move would disrupt essential supply chains and affect businesses, patients and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.
In Saturday’s post on his Truth Social network, Trump argues that the EU should fully open the single market to the US, without any import tariffs, to redress the trade balance.
Any attempt by the EU to impose retaliatory tariffs will cause that tariff to be added on top of the proposed 30 per cent, he said, while leaving the door ajar for a possible trade deal that could lead to an “adjustment” to the tariff.
"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," he wrote. "Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal."
The new tariff is higher than the 20 per cent announced on 2 April, referred to as “Liberation Day” by Trump. However, that was quickly suspended under pressure from the stock markets. In its place came a universal 10 per cent levy.
A deadline to come up with new trade deals was also put forward: that was originally 9 July but was postponed to 1 August this week. At one point, Trump briefly threatened to impose a 50 per cent levy on European goods.
"Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal"
In statement in response, European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen said: “Imposing 30 percent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.
“We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”
Trump has also announced a 30 per cent tariff on Mexico. In a letter to Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, posted on Truth Social, he acknowledged that Mexico had taken steps to secure the border.
However, he said it was not yet doing enough to clamp down on drug cartels and prevent the trafficking of fentanyl, an opioid that is at the source of tens of thousands of fatal overdoses a year in the US.
US president Donald Trump announces trade tariffs at the White House, 2 April 2025 © PHOTO BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP
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