Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Trump slaps trade partners, Mexico, EU, with 30% tariffs from Aug. 1

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 Jul 2025 17:10
  • 1 Shares
6 Min Read

The Trump administration is facing increasing pressure to deliver on its promises of trade agreements, as only two deals have been finalized so far.

Listen
  • x
  • Trump announces Mexico, EU rariffs of 30%
    US President Donald Trump speaks  at a news conference at Trump National Golf Club on August 15, 2024, in Bedminster, New Jersey (AP)

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that major US trading partners Mexico and the European Union would face a 30% tariff starting next month, escalating pressure in his ongoing trade wars. The new tariffs, set to take effect on August 1, were outlined in separate letters shared on his Truth Social platform. Trump cited Mexico’s alleged role in the flow of illicit drugs into the US and the trade imbalance with the EU as the reasons for the tariffs.

These new duties are steeper than the 25% tariff imposed on Mexican goods earlier this year, though products entering under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be exempt. Canada also received a similar letter, indicating a 35% tariff on its goods.

Canada, EU deepen trade alliance 

As a result, Canada is reinforcing its strategic alignment with the European Union to counterbalance what officials describe as a weakening US trade posture. Speaking at a joint press conference in Ottawa on Friday, Canadian Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly confirmed that Ottawa is working closely with Brussels to defend open markets and bolster economic sovereignty.

Throughout the week, Trump has been sending updated tariff letters to more than 20 countries, each detailing their specific duties.

The Trump administration is facing increasing pressure to deliver on its promises of trade agreements, as only two deals, one with Britain and another with Vietnam, have been finalized so far, alongside temporary reductions in tariffs with China.

Mexico has 'not done enough'

The new tariffs for Mexico announced by Trump will be higher than the 25% levy he imposed earlier this year, although products entering under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will still be exempt.

In his letter, Trump stated, "Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough. Starting August 1, 2025, we will charge Mexico a Tariff of 30% on Mexican products sent into the United States."

The EU tariff represents a significant increase from the 20% levy Trump introduced in April, as negotiations with the bloc continue.

The EU, along with several other economies, was initially set to face a rise in US tariffs from a baseline of 10% on Wednesday. However, Trump delayed the deadline to August 1, just days before the higher rates were scheduled to take effect.

EU, Mexico respond

EU chief slams Trump tariff threat

Related News

Cholera devastates Darfur region amid conflict, US aid cuts

US uses tariffs to strongarm India on Russia ties

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen hit out Saturday at new tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump while maintaining a willingness to work for a trade deal with Washington.

"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," von der Leyen said in a statement.

"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," she added.

On Friday, Brussels indicated it was open to negotiating a deal with Washington to prevent the return of the 20% tariffs, and the most recent letter suggests that discussions will continue.

In response to Trump’s earlier steel and aluminum tariffs, the EU has prepared retaliatory duties on US goods worth approximately 21 billion euros. These duties have been suspended until July 14, but European officials have not yet indicated whether they plan to extend the suspension, though they could do so quickly if necessary.

Macron calls for accelerated retaliatory measures 

As for France's president, he maintained that the European Union should accelerate the preparation of retaliatory measures, including anti-coercion instruments.

"It is more than ever up to the Commission to assert the Union's determination to defend European interests resolutely," Macron wrote on X.

The EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) allows the bloc to retaliate against third countries that put economic pressure on EU members to change their policies, and offers a wide scope for action. It allows the EU to limit access to public procurement tenders for companies from a third country and to take action affecting services trade or investment.

Germany urges pragmatism

Germany's economy minister on Saturday called for pragmatism in European Union tariff negotiations with the United States, following Trump's 30% tariff threat.

"The EU now must, in the time that remains, negotiate in a pragmatic manner a solution with the United States," Germany's Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said in a statement.

"A pragmatic outcome to these negotiations must be reached quickly," she added.

BDI calls for quick resolution

Earlier, Germany's main industrial body urged a quick resolution.

"President Trump's announcement is a wake-up call for industry on both sides of the Atlantic," said the Federation of German Industries (BDI) in a statement.

"A trade conflict between two economic areas as closely linked as the EU and the United States harms economic recovery, innovation strength, and ultimately confidence in international cooperation," warned Wolfgang Niedermark, a senior BDI official.

The federation "calls on the German government, the European Commission, and the American administration to now very quickly find solutions and to avoid an escalation."

Mexico calls tariffs unfair

A joint statement by Mexico's foreign and economy ministries said that Mexican authorities consider the decision of the US government to introduce 30% tariffs from August 1 to be unfair and are already holding talks with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

"We were informed that, as part of the profound change in the US trade policy, all countries would receive a letter signed by the US president establishing new tariffs starting from August 1. We mentioned at the meeting that this is an unfair deal and that we disagree," the statement, published on the Mexican Foreign Ministry's website on Saturday, read.

Mexican and US officials from key ministries held a bilateral meeting in Washington on Friday. As a result, a permanent bilateral working group was formed to address key issues, the statement said.

"It was agreed that the first task of the new permanent bilateral working group would be to develop an alternative that could protect businesses and jobs on both sides of the border by a specified date," the joint statement of the Mexican ministries read.

  • Donald Trump
  • United States
  • tariff
  • Mexico
  • European Union
  • Europe

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS