President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States would impose 30% tariffs on imports from Mexico and the European Union starting 1 August, intensifying trade tensions with key partners.
Trump made the declarations in separate letters posted on his Truth Social platform. He cited Mexico’s failure to curb illicit drug flows into the US and a persistent trade imbalance with the EU as the reasons for the new duties.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs on both allies and rivals, unsettling global markets and sparking fears of a wider economic slowdown.
Despite promises of multiple trade agreements, his administration has only finalised two deals — with the United Kingdom and Vietnam — and reached a temporary reduction in reciprocal tariffs with China.
The 30% tariff on Mexican imports surpasses the 25% rate introduced earlier this year. However, goods entering the US under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) remain exempt.
“Mexico has helped me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done is not enough,” Trump wrote. “Starting August 1, 2025, we will charge Mexico a Tariff of 30% on Mexican products sent into the United States.”
Canada received a similar letter this month, with tariffs of 35% expected to take effect. A US official confirmed that Canadian products under USMCA would also be exempt.
The new EU tariff is significantly higher than the 20% rate announced in April, with Trump pushing the enforcement deadline to August 1 after previously signalling it would begin this week.
Brussels responded on Friday, expressing readiness to reach a deal to avoid the planned duties. EU officials had already prepared retaliatory tariffs worth €21 billion in response to earlier US tariffs on steel and aluminium, though these are currently suspended until 14 July.
The EU has not yet indicated whether it will extend the suspension but retains the option to do so swiftly if negotiations with Washington progress.