Trump announces 30% tariffs on imports from Mexico and EU

By lauraharris // 2025-07-19

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President Donald Trump declared that starting Aug. 1, the U.S. will impose a 30 percent tariff on all imports from Mexico and the European Union (EU), citing national security and trade imbalances.
In a letter to Mexico's president, Trump blamed Mexico's failure to stop drug cartels and fentanyl trafficking as justification for the tariffs, despite some cooperation on border issues.
Mexican companies that move manufacturing operations to the U.S. will be exempt from the tariffs, with Trump promising fast-track approvals.
Mexico's Foreign Ministry confirmed the tariff threat was discussed during a July 11 meeting and called the proposal unfair, but said negotiations with the U.S. are ongoing.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized the tariffs as harmful to both economies and said the EU is preparing "proportionate countermeasures" if no deal is reached by Aug. 1.

President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S. will impose a 30 percent new tariff on all imports from Mexico and the European Union (EU) on Aug. 1 due to national security concerns and trade imbalances. In a letter addressed to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and posted on Trump's Truth Social platform on Saturday, July 12, the president said the tariffs are a response to Mexico's failure to stop drug cartels from trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics into the United States. (Related: Trump announces steep tariffs on 14 countries, effective August 1.) "Despite our strong relationship, you will recall, the United States imposed Tariffs on Mexico to deal with our Nation's Fentanyl crisis, which is caused, in part, by Mexico's failure to stop the Cartels, who are made up of the most despicable people who ever walked the Earth, from pouring these drugs into our country," Trump wrote in the letter. The president emphasized that while Mexico has made efforts to assist in border security, they have not gone far enough to satisfy his administration's goals. So, he decided that Mexican products entering the U.S. will now face a 30 percent tariff, separate from other sector-specific tariffs. Goods rerouted to avoid higher tariffs will also be penalized. "Mexico has been helping me secure the border, but what Mexico has done is not enough. Mexico still has not stopped the Cartels, who are trying to turn all of North America into a narco-trafficking playground. Obviously, I cannot let that happen! Starting August 1, 2025, we will charge Mexico a Tariff of 30 percent on Mexican products sent into the United States," the president said. However, Trump did offer a path around the tariffs: Mexican businesses that manufacture within the U.S. will be exempt. He then promised that his administration "will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely — In other words, in a matter of weeks." Trump also sent a similar letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to balance one of the U.S.'s "largest trade deficits." "It is a Great Honor for me to send you this letter in that it demonstrates the strength and commitment of our Trading Relationship, and the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with the European Union, despite having one of our largest Trade Deficits with you," Trump wrote.

Mexico seeks deal as EU warns of retaliation

Mexico and the European Commission responded differently. Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed over the weekend that it had been informed of the tariff threat during a July 11 meeting with Trump administration officials in Washington, D.C. "We mentioned at the meeting that this was an unfair deal and that we disagreed," the ministry said, adding that the Mexican government is already in active negotiations with the U.S. and is seeking to avoid the punitive measures. Meanwhile, negotiations with the EU are also entering a critical stage. EU officials had reportedly been close to finalizing a trade agreement with Washington earlier this week that would set tariffs at 10 percent, significantly lower than the 30 percent rate Trump now threatens. As a result, von der Leyen responded sharply, warning that the proposed U.S. tariffs would have far-reaching consequences on both economies. "A 30 percent tariff on EU exports would hurt businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we are ready to safeguard EU interests on the basis of proportionate countermeasures," von der Leyen posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The EU's stance suggests retaliation is possible if a deal isn't reached. Follow Trump.news for similar stories. Watch the July 8 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses Trump unleashing new tariff wars with an extra attack on BRICS nations.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

CITIZENS NEWS

Mexico seeks deal as EU warns of retaliation

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