The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyencriticized this Saturday (12.07.2025) the new 30% tariffs announced by the US President Donald Trumpbut declared that the European bloc still wants to work in a commercial agreement with Washington.
“Impose 30% tariffs on exports of the European Union (EU) would alter the essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of companies, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic, “said Von der Leyen in a statement.
“We remain willing to continue the work towards an agreement before August 1. At the same time, we will take all the necessary measures to safeguard the interests of the EU, including the adoption of proportional countermeasures if necessary,” he added.
The European leader insisted that “few economies of the world match the EU opening level and their adhesion to fair commercial practices.”
“The EU has systematically prioritized a negotiated solution with USAwhich reflects our commitment to dialogue, stability and a constructive transatlantic association, “he said.
Trump said Saturday that the main business partners of the United States, the EU and Mexico, would face 30% tariffs from next month, which justified citing the role of the American country in drug trafficking to the United States and a commercial imbalance with the European block.
These rates would come into force on August 1, said Republican tycoon in separate letters published on its social truth platform.
New Trump tariffs
An EU spokeswoman said they had been informed of the new tariffs before Trump made the missives known.
European diplomats pointed out that an unchanging meeting of ambassadors from the 27 EU countries was summoned on Sunday in Brussels to discuss the measure.
The new tax announced by Trump is higher than the 20% tax he had released in April.
The EU, together with dozens of other economies, should see its level of 10% tariffs increase to a higher level on Wednesday, but the US president delayed the deadline to August 1 a few days before they went into force.
Brussels has prepared retaliation tariffs on US products worth about 21,000 million euros (24,500 million dollars) after Trump also imposed separate levies for steel and aluminum imports earlier this year.
At the moment, its application was postponed until July 14. While European authorities have not taken measures to extend the suspension, they could do it quickly if necessary.
MG (AFP, DPA)
