US to Impose 30% Tariffs on Mexico, EU from 1 August

The United States is set to introduce sweeping new tariffs on imports from Mexico and the European Union starting 1 August 2025, following an announcement from former President Donald Trump.

In official correspondence issued on Saturday, Trump notified both Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that a 30% tariff would be applied to all exports from their respective regions to the US.

In the letter to President Sheinbaum, Trump confirmed that the new 30% tariff would apply independently of existing sector-specific duties.

He also warned that any attempts to bypass the new tariffs through transshipment would result in even higher charges. Additionally, Trump cautioned that if Mexico increases its tariffs, the US would respond by adding the same percentage increase on top of the 30% base rate.

A nearly identical letter was sent to Ursula von der Leyen, in which Trump stated that the 30% rate was still insufficient to fully address what he described as an ongoing trade imbalance between the US and the European Union.

The EU responded swiftly. European Commission President von der Leyen reiterated the bloc’s willingness to work toward a resolution before the 1 August deadline. However, she also made clear that the EU would act decisively to defend its economic interests if necessary.

Von der Leyen warned that such tariffs could severely damage critical transatlantic supply chains and negatively impact industries, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.