Brussels aimed to impose 10% tariffs across the board. The White House ordered its counterpart not to react and to allow free entry of US-made goods into Europe.

After the new tariffs for Canada, it's the turn of the European Union. American President Donald Trump sent Brussels the letter with the new tariffs for member states.

Starting August 1, 2025, we will apply a 30% European Union tariff on EU products exported to the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs, Trump wrote on his social media account,  Truth.

Trump's letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opens with an emphatic and self-congratulatory tone: It is a great honor for me to send you this letter, which demonstrates the strength and commitment to our trade relationship and the fact that the United States has agreed to continue working with the European Union despite having one of the largest trade deficits with you. We therefore invite you to participate in the extraordinary US economy, the world's number one market.

A few lines below the most important announcement: Starting August 1st, we will charge the European Union a tariff of only 30% on all products shipped to the United States...30% is a much lower limit than what we need to eliminate the trade deficit.

As is well known, Brussels and the 27 were aiming to wrest an agreement from Washington that would include maximum tariffs of 10%. The bombshell dropped by Trump therefore shatters the attempts at negotiation and dialogue that have developed in recent weeks between the two sides of the Atlantic. A 30% tariff will also be imposed on goods coming from Mexico.

Trump's letter contains other intimidating phrases and restrictive conditions; for example, goods transited through other countries to evade a higher tariff will be subject to that higher tariff. Or: If you respond with further tariffs, your amount will be added to the initial figure. For Europe, in the White House's view, there is only one way out: There will be no tariffs if the European Union, or companies within the EU, decide to build or produce products in the United States, and, in fact, we will do everything possible to obtain authorizations quickly, smoothly, and professionally—in other words, within a few weeks. It goes without saying that the European Union will have to allow the United States full and open market access, without the application of any tariffs, in an effort to reduce the large trade deficit.

The full text of the letter

Dear Madam President,



It is a great honor for me to send you this letter, as it demonstrates the strength and commitment of our trade relationship and the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with the European Union, despite having one of the largest trade deficits with you. Nonetheless, we have decided to move forward, but only with more balanced and fair trade. Therefore, we invite you to participate in the extraordinary economy of the United States, by far the world's number one market. We have had years to discuss our trade relationship with the European Union and have concluded that we must abandon these long-term, large, and persistent trade deficits, created by your tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers. Our relationship has, unfortunately, been anything but reciprocal. Starting August 1, 2025, we will apply a 30% tariff to the European Union on EU products shipped to the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs. Goods transshipped to avoid a higher tariff will be subject to that tariff. Please understand that the 30% rate is far less than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit we have with the EU. As you know, there will be no tariffs if the European Union, or companies within the EU, decide to build or produce in the United States, and, in fact, we will do everything possible to obtain approvals quickly, professionally, and systematically—in other words, within a matter of weeks. The European Union will allow the United States full and open market access, without any tariffs, in an effort to reduce the large trade deficit. If for any reason you decide to increase your tariffs and respond, the amount you decide to increase will be added to the 30% we will apply. Please understand that these tariffs are necessary to correct the European Union's many years of tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers, which have caused the large and unsustainable trade deficit with the United States. This discrepancy poses a serious threat to our economy and, indeed, our national security! We look forward to working with you as your trading partner for many years to come. If you wish to open your closed trade markets to the United States and eliminate your tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers, we may consider amending this letter. These tariffs may be adjusted, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your country. You will never be disappointed by the United States of America.

Thank you for your attention!