Trump intensifies trade war with threat of 30% tariffs on EU, Mexico

14/7/2025 19:37

The European Union and South Korea said on Monday they were working on trade deals with U.S. President Donald Trump that would soften the blow from

looming tariffs as Washington threatens to impose hefty duties from August 1.



Trump stepped up his trade war on Saturday, saying he would impose a 30% tariff on most imports from the EU and Mexico from next month, adding to similar warnings for other countries including Asian economic powerhouses Japan and South Korea.



White House Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett said on Sunday that countries' trade deal offers so far have not satisfied Trump and "the tariffs are real" without improvements to their proposals.



European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic expressed optimism that Washington and the EU were approaching a positive outcome for both sides. He warned, however, that a 30% tariff would practically eliminate trade between the U.S. and the 27-nation bloc, which are currently each other's largest trading

partners.