President Trump announced on Saturday that his administration would collect 30% tariffs from Mexico and the European Union members from August 1, targeting two of the top US trading partners.
Trump has posted separate letters on the truth to Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Paldo and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, informing the tariff rates.
In a letter to Sheinbaum Pardo, Trump cited the flow of fentanyl across the southern border.
“Mexico has helped secure the border, but what Mexico has done isn’t enough,” the president wrote.
The US had previously imposed a 25% tariff on Mexican goods, but Trump later exempted products that were covered by the 2020 trade agreement between the US, Canada and Mexico. It is unclear whether these exemptions will still apply as of August 1st.
The letter to Von Der Leyen focused on trade concerns. Trump has argued in the past that the European Union has long been unfair to the US, and that the bloc of states was created to “screw” America.
“We have been discussing business relationships with the European Union for years, and have concluded that we must move away from your tariffs and these long-term, major, lasting trade obstacles created by non-tariffs, policies and trade barriers,” the president wrote.
Data from the US Census Bureau shows Mexico has been the top trading partner with the US so far this year. EU members including Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands also had the top 15.
This week, Trump posted a letter to social media sent to more than 12 countries vows to impose steep tariffs on imports starting August 1. These duties are set to take effect after the initial duties announced in April have suspended for 90 days to negotiate time.
However, the US only brokered a trade agreement with the UK at that time, and announced a framework for China’s deal with Vietnam.
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