This article was last updated at 7:30 PM.

The new tariffs will take effect from August 1, as Trump announced on Saturday. He published a corresponding letter on his online platform, Truth Social. The EU had hoped for a comprehensive trade agreement with the US.

In the published letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump threatened further tariff increases in the event of countermeasures. He also wrote: If the EU is willing to open its previously closed trade markets to the United States and eliminate trade barriers, they might consider adjusting the letter. The tariffs could be adjusted upwards or downwards depending on how relations develop.

Further escalation threatens

The new 30 percent tariff rate applies to all goods that the EU intends to import into the United States. This excludes certain sectors for which Trump is demanding even higher surcharges. Previously, different rates applied to cars and car parts, as well as steel and aluminum.

The letter threatens a further escalation of the trade conflict. The European Union and the United States have recently been trying to find a mutually acceptable solution in weeks of talks. The unilateral imposition of new tariffs now faces this challenge.

Von der Leyen warns of disruption to supply chains

According to an EU spokesperson, the US government provided advance notice of the announcement of special tariffs. Commission President von der Leyen said in an initial reaction that the US government had taken note of Trump's letter. She warned that the introduction of tariffs of 30 percent on EU exports would severely disrupt transatlantic supply chains – to the detriment of companies, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.

The EU has always sought a negotiated solution with the US, von der Leyen explained. The EU is prepared to continue working toward an agreement until August 1. Should this not be achieved, the EU will take all necessary steps to protect its interests, including countermeasures, the Commission President said. As a first step, these will primarily include special tariffs on imports of US products into the EU.

EU Council President António Costa sharply criticized the new tariff announcements."Tariffs are taxes. They fuel inflation, create uncertainty, and hamper economic growth," the Portuguese commented on social media. He argued that free and fair trade promotes prosperity, creates jobs, and strengthens supply chains.

Macron: Prepare a counterattack

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that they trust in the"goodwill of all actors involved to reach a fair agreement that can strengthen the West as a whole – especially since, given the current global political situation, it would make no sense to ignite a trade conflict between the two sides of the Atlantic." The focus should now be on negotiations to avoid polarization. Rome fully supports the EU Commission's efforts. Meloni has so far made good efforts to reach out to the Trump administration, attempting to position herself as a bridge-builder between the US and the EU.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on the short message service X that the EU should accelerate its preparations for a counterattack.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof criticized the announced US tariffs and called for unity in the EU. Trump's announcement was"worrying" and not the right path, he wrote on Platform X. The European Commission could count on the full support of the Netherlands to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.

Neos MEP Anna Stürgkh spoke from Austria."Trump's goal was and remains clear: to weaken Europe. A trade war benefits no one. With this new announcement, he is driving up inflation, slowing growth, and endangering jobs in Europe," Stürgkh said in a statement. But American companies and consumers would also suffer from the tariffs. The EU must not allow itself to be divided and must act as a united front.

Trump's unclear demand

In his letter, Trump also wrote:"The European Union will provide the United States with unrestricted, duty-free market access, without imposing tariffs against us, in an attempt to reduce the large trade deficit." What exactly the US president meant by this remained unclear at first.

Weeks of negotiations with key trading partners on a more comprehensive agreement had previously proven unsuccessful. The EU had hoped for a broad agreement with the US, but had already prepared itself for new tariffs. After the difficult talks, it became clear that a transitional arrangement would likely be necessary. There are also conflicting interests among the 27 member states. While economically powerful Germany pushed for a quick agreement to protect its industry, other members, such as France, warned against giving in to a unilateral agreement on US terms.

Mexico aims for a negotiated solution by August 1

Mexico, which is affected just as much as the EU, is relying on negotiations with the US on bilateral trade. The Mexican Ministry of Economy announced that a joint working group should find an alternative to protect companies and workers before August 1. Mexico exports more than 80 percent of its goods to the US. Free trade with its northern neighbor led to Mexico replacing China as the US's most important trading partner in 2023.

New tariffs also for other countries

Trump had already announced new tariffs on several countries, including Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Brazil. He also announced a 50 percent tariff on copper. The tariffs imposed by Trump since his return to the White House are already generating billions in revenue for the US government. According to data from the US Treasury Department on Friday, tariff revenue in the current fiscal year through June exceeded the $100 billion mark.

Worldwide customs dispute since the beginning of April

The US President sparked the tariff conflict with trading partners around the world at the beginning of April. Trump initially announced high import surcharges for the EU and numerous other countries, but then reduced these to a base rate of ten percent in order to conduct negotiations within a 90-day period.

He then extended the deadline on Monday to August 1. Since then, the Republican has already sent letters to more than 20 countries announcing which tariff rates will apply to them from that date.

Cars from the EU are already subject to an increased tariff of 25 percent in the US. Importers must pay surcharges of 50 percent for steel and aluminum products, including the steel used in refrigerators and washing machines. Brussels has prepared counter-tariffs on US products worth around €21 billion, but these have been suspended for the duration of the negotiations. An initial list includes US products such as jeans and motorcycles.