President Donald Trump has unveiled new 30% tariffs targeting imports from the European Union and Mexico, set to take effect on August 1.
The announcement was made through two letters posted on his social media platform.
Tariffs on Mexico Cited Over Fentanyl
In a letter to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump blamed drug trafficking for the decision.
“Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT what Mexico has done is not enough,” he wrote. “Mexico still has not stopped the Cartels who are trying to turn all of North America in a Narco-Trafficking Playground.”
While Mexico avoided new tariffs in Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” rollout, existing tariffs remain: 25% on non-USMCA-compliant goods and 50% on steel, aluminum, and related products. Major U.S. imports from Mexico include vehicles, machinery, electrical equipment, and agricultural products like beer, fruits, and vegetables.
Trade Deficit Cited in EU Tariff Decision
Trump also addressed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, citing the U.S. trade deficit with the EU—$235.6 billion in 2024—as justification for the new tariffs.
He wrote that manufacturing companies operating in the U.S. would be exempt from the tariffs.
Pushback from EU and Mexico
Von der Leyen warned that the 30% tariff “would hurt businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” and said the EU would pursue countermeasures if necessary.
Mexican economic minister Marcelo Ebrard confirmed Mexico was already in talks with the U.S. and called the move “an unfair deal.”
“We stated at the meeting that this was an unfair deal and that we did not agree with it,” Ebrard posted on X.
For more on the effects of Trump’s tariffs, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.