US President Donald Trump announced in letters that he would impose tariffs on various countries. This Saturday, July 12, he imposed tariffs of 30 percent on Mexico and the European Union (EU), marking a new escalation in the midst of trade negotiations leading up to the August 1 deadline.
The Republican justified these decisions, which will come into effect as of the aforementioned date, in letters published on his platform Truth Social, addressing Mexico's role in drug trafficking to the United States and a d trade balance with the EU.
But these weren't the only countries the U.S. president sent his message to. Here's who received the letter.
The letters sent by Trump contained a warning: the recipient countries would receive an increase in the applied tariffs if they decided to retaliate against these measures.
Mexico
The letter sent to the country mentioned that a 30 percent tariff would be applied to Mexican products entering the United States. This increased from the 25 percent stipulated at the beginning of the year, although until now products entering under the North American Free Trade Agreement, which also involves Canada, were exempt.
"Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT what they have done is not enough," Trump wrote in his letter to Claudia Sheinbaum.
Canada
In a letter to Secretary Mark Carney, he said he would apply a 35 percent tariff—increasing the stipulated 25 percent—but that he might consider an adjustment if the country helps him stop the flow of fentanyl entering the United States.
Brazil
The country governed by Lula da Silva will receive a 50 percent tariff in retaliation for the legal proceedings against former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.
( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post )
— Donald J. Trump ????????? TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) July 9, 2025
( Donald J. Trump - Jul 09, 2025, 4:17 PM ET ) pic.twitter.com/DU6LDTE15G
European Union
The tariffs announced for the 27 countries that make up the EU will receive a 30 percent tariff starting August 1. The letter states that Germany demands swift action to protect itself, while France refuses to budge on the measures.
Tariffs for 21 countries
- Algeria: 30 percent
- Bangladesh: 35 percent
- Bosnia: 30 percent
- Brunei: 25 percent
- Cambodia: 36 percent
- South Korea: 25 percent
- Philippines: 20 percent
- Indonesia: 32 percent
- Iraq: 30 percent
- Japan: 25 percent
- Kazakhstan: 25 percent
- Laos: 40 percent
- Libya: 30 percent
- Malaysia: 25 percent
- Moldova: 25 percent percent
- Myanmar: 40 percent
- Serbia: 35 percent
- Sri Lanka: 30 percent
- South Africa: 30 percent
- Thailand: 36 percent
- Tunisia: 25 percent
▶️ The European Union was also affected by 30% tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, a measure that will take effect on August 1; here is the list of all the countries involved
— Milenio (@Milenio) July 12, 2025
???? #MILENIO16h with Daniel Saldívar
How did Mexico respond?
Mexico called it another manifestation of"unfair treatment" by the United States, while the EU warned that the new tariffs could disrupt supply chains, although it insisted it would continue talks to reach an agreement with the United States.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said, however, that she is confident of"reaching an agreement with the United States" before August 1.
The Mexican government said it was informed of the decision during talks held in the United States on Friday."We mentioned at the table that it was an unfair deal and that we didn't agree," the Mexican Ministries of Economy and Foreign Affairs (SRE) said in a joint statement.
They also stated that Mexico is already in negotiations to agree on an alternative to tariffs"that will protect businesses and jobs on both sides of the border."
What did other leaders express?
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "strong disapproval" of the measure and called on the bloc to "categorically defend European interests."
Since returning to office in January, Trump has imposed trade surcharges on both allies and competitors, roiling financial markets and raising fears of a global recession. However, his administration is under pressure to close deals with its partners.
So far, US officials have revealed only two deals, with the UK and Vietnam, along with temporarily lower reciprocal tariffs with China.
The tariff imposed on the EU is also considerably higher than the 20 percent tariff Trump announced in April.
"Imposing 30 percent tariffs on European Union (EU) exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement responding to Trump's letter.
"We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard the EU's interests, including taking proportionate countermeasures if necessary," he added.
A 30% tariff on EU exports would hurt businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 12, 2025
We will continue working towards an agreement by August 1.
At the same time, we are ready to safeguard EU interests on the basis of proportionate countermeasures.
For his part, Macron called on the European Commission, which is in charge of negotiations on behalf of the 27 EU member states, to" accelerate the preparation of credible countermeasures, mobilizing all the instruments at its disposal."
Meanwhile, German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche called on the EU to"pragmatically negotiate a solution with the United States in the time it has left, focusing on the main points of contention."
Brussels declared its determination on Friday to reach an agreement with Washington to avoid the return of the 20 percent tariffs.
Those retaliatory tariffs could cover about $24.5 billion in products, after Trump also imposed separate tariffs on steel and aluminum imports earlier this year.
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