Breaking Trump announces 30% tariffs on imports from EU from 1 August
The fresh tariffs were announced in separate letters posted on his Truth Social platform. The EU tariff is also markedly steeper than the 20% levy Mr Trump unveiled in April, as negotiations with the bloc continue.
Mr Trump cited a trade imbalance with the EU as reason for the tariff rate.
Earlier this week, Mr Trump issued new tariff announcements for a number of countries, including Japan, South Korea, Canada and Brazil, as well as a 50% tariff on copper.
The EU had hoped to reach a comprehensive trade agreement with the US for the 27-country bloc.
The European Union had been bracing for the letter from Mr Trump outlining his planned duties on the United States' largest trade and investment partner after a broadening of his tariff war in recent days.
The EU initially hoped to strike a comprehensive trade agreement, including zero-for-zero tariffs on industrial goods, but months of difficult talks have led to the realisation it will probably have to settle for an interim agreement and hope something better can still be negotiated.
The 27-country bloc is under conflicting pressures as powerhouse Germany urged a quick deal to safeguard its industry, while other EU members, such as France, have said EU negotiators should not cave into a one-sided deal on US terms.
Mr Trump's cascade of tariff orders since returning to the White House has begun generating
tens of billions of dollars a month in new revenue for the US government.
US customs duties revenue shot past $100 billion in the federal fiscal year through to June, according to US Treasury yesterday.
In the letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mr Trump said that "our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal".
"Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge The European Union a tariff of only 30% on EU products sent into the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs," he wrote.
"Please understand that the 30% number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit disparity we have with the EU.
"As you are aware, there will be no tariff if the European Union, or companies within the EU, decide to build or manufacture product within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely - In other words, in a matter of weeks."
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Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Trump tariffs: In the US, ‘the EU' isn't a concept and Ursula von der Leyen is an unknown
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The Journal
an hour ago
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RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
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