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Trump strikes: 30% tariffs on EU imports from August 1st!
US President Trump will announce new 30% tariffs against the EU on July 12, 2025, which will impact transatlantic relations.
Trump strikes: 30% tariffs on EU imports from August 1st!
On July 12, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced new punitive tariffs of 30 percent on imports from the European Union. The tariffs are set to come into force on August 1st. Trump made the announcement via his social media platform Truth Social and also announced equal tariffs on imports from Mexico. These measures come in the context of Trump's renewed presidency, which he assumed after the November 2024 elections.
The reaction to this announcement was immediate. The European Parliament immediately began a debate on the possible impact on transatlantic relations. In the week surrounding Trump's inauguration, leading EU MPs called for continued cooperation between Europe and the USA. Parliament declared its willingness to actively contribute to strengthening transatlantic relations.
EU reactions and concerns
On February 12, 2025, a wide-ranging debate took place between MEPs, Council representatives and the European Commission on the Trump administration's tariff threats. In this discussion, Adam Szłapka, Polish Minister for European Affairs, emphasized the benefits of open, rules-based and fair international trade.
In contrast, Maroš Šefčovič, a member of the European Commission, voiced strong criticism of US tariffs, which he said could be harmful to both businesses and consumers in Europe. Bernd Lange, chairman of the Committee on International Trade, also pointed out the possibility of introducing counter tariffs in order to respond appropriately to the American measures.
Sophie Wilmès, deputy chair of the parliamentary delegation for relations with the US, underlined the importance of a strong diplomatic response to maintain deterrence against looming tariffs. Such developments could not only affect trade relations, but also endanger the economic stability of both regions.
The impending tariffs and related discussions are casting a shadow over cooperation between Europe and the US as both sides try to protect their interests in an increasingly tense global trading environment. Experts fear the new measures could lead to another trade dispute that could have a negative impact on the global economy.