In a move that significantly escalates the international trade war, the US president announced on Saturday the imposition of a 30% duty on all imports from the start of August 1st.
The decision was announced by letters posted on the Truth Social platform, signaling the failure of many days of negotiations.
The new duty wave comes a few days after Trump imposed a number of additional measures against other countries, including Japan, South Korea, Canada and Brazil, as well as a very high duties of 50% to the imported copper.
The decision on EU duties is considered particularly critical, as the Union is the largest commercial and investment partner in the US. Brussels had invested politically and diplomatically in the conclusion of a broader trade agreement that would provide for a mutually abolition of tariffs on industrial products, but months of harsh and often dead -end negotiations with Washington did not bear fruit.
‘Disturbing transatlantic trade – if required we will receive countermeasures’
“It will disrupt basic transatlantic supply chains, at the expense of businesses, consumers and patients, on either side of the Atlantic,” European Commission President Ursula von der Layen said shortly after Trump’s announcements.
“The EU is steadily prioritizing a solution with the US, which reflects our commitment to dialogue, stability and constructive transatlantic partnership,” he said, reiterating the readiness of the Union to continue consultations in the direction of an agreement until August 1.
“We will take all the necessary measures to ensure EU interests, including adopting proportional countermeasures, if required,” warned von der Laen.
However, according to three European officials who spoke in anonymity at Reuters, the new US president’s new announcements are only “negotiating tactics”.
Antonio Costa: “We support the efforts of the Commission”
For his part, European Council President Antonio Costa in a message to X for commercial duties declares his support to Ursula von der Layen and “the Commission’s efforts to reach a just agreement with the US”.
His entire message to X, following a letter posted by US President Donald Trump on his social media platform that he will impose 30% duties from August 1 on products imported by the EU:
“Free and fair trade leads to prosperity, creates jobs and enhances supply chains.
Duties are taxes. They feed inflation, create uncertainty and prevent economic growth. We will continue to build strong commercial partnerships worldwide.
The EU remains stable, united and ready to protect our interests, fully supporting President @vonderleyen and the Commission’s efforts to reach a fair agreement with the US. “
Melon for Trump duties: To avoid further polarization
Immediate was the reaction of Italy, a major US trade partner: “It is vital to remain focused on trade negotiations with the United States and to avoid further polarization,” the office of Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a 30% post.
As Reuters reports, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is convinced that “a fair agreement” can be reached between the European Union and the United States, the announcement is added.
“Rome fully supports the European Commission’s efforts,” concludes Melon’s office.
EU concession that did not get a place
It is even a day after the revelation that the European Commission, pursuing the signing of an agreement, abandoned tax plans on digital companies, a move that offered an obvious victory to Donald Trump and US technology companies such as Apple and Meta.
“With Brussels and the US being in the final line of trade negotiations, the EU withdrew plans for digital tax from the list of measures that will increase Union revenue over the next seven years, according to a document released on Friday,” he said. However, as it all seems to be, the signing of a trade agreement between the US and the EU was not possible.
