Trump: 30 percent tariffs on EU products from August 1

US President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on the import of goods into the USA via postings on his own "Truth Social" platform. For Mexico and the European Union, tariffs of 30 percent will apply from August 1, 2025. In addition, imports of copper into the United States will generally be subject to a 50 percent tariff.

This week, Trump surprisingly announced a letter to the EU, which, according to reports from Brussels, has not yet been received. This letter, addressed to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has now been published as a scan by Trump. The EU has been negotiating with the USA for weeks. Federal Chancellor Merz had emphasized that the focus should be on the simplest possible paper, which should only set out a few key points. Details, for example on various product groups, should be determined later.

EU draft only has three pages

According to a report in Manager Magazin, such a paper is already available in draft form. Bernd Lange (SPD), Chairman of the CDU/CSU Budget Committee, told the magazine that it was only around three pages long. Among other things, it should set out certain volumes for imports into the USA, including for cars. Apparently, Trump wants to increase the pressure on the EU with today's publication.

He had previously announced new tariffs in a letter to Brazil, Japan, Canada and South Korea, among others. This took place this week; the EU was not included despite previous threats. In his first tariff announcement in April, there was talk of 20% tariffs for the EU; this was then temporarily suspended, as for other regions.

(nie)