Trump imposes 30 per cent tariffs on EU and Mexico
The US president said both levies would take effect on August 1 as he announced the move on letters posted to his Truth Social account.
In his letter to the European Union, Mr Trump said that the US trade deficit was a national security threat.
'We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with The European Union, and we have concluded we must move away from these long-term, large, and persistent, Trade Deficits, engendered by your Tariff, and Non-Tariff, Policies, and Trade Barriers,' he wrote.
'Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal,' he added.
The EU tariff is markedly steeper than the 20 percent levy Mr Trump unveiled in April, as negotiations with the bloc continue.
EU countermeasures
Responding to the announcement, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said: 'Imposing 30 per cent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.
'Few economies in the world match the European Union's level of openness and adherence to fair trading practices.
'The EU has consistently prioritised a negotiated solution with the US, reflecting our commitment to dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership.
'We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.'
Brussels, alongside dozens of other economies, had been set to see its US tariff level increase from a baseline of 10 per cent on Wednesday, but Mr Trump pushed back the deadline to August 1 just days before the elevated rates were due to take effect.
Mexico targeted over drugs and migration
In the letter to Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican president, Mr Trump acknowledged that her country has been helpful in stemming the flow of undocumented migrants and fentanyl into the United States.
But he said the country has not done enough to stop North America from turning into a 'Narco-Trafficking Playground'.
The duties are higher than the 25 percent levy Mr Trump imposed on Mexican goods earlier this year, although products entering the United States under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement are exempted.
Canada earlier received a similar letter setting out 35 percent tariffs on its goods.
The EU tariff is markedly steeper than the 20 percent levy Mr Trump unveiled in April, as negotiations with the bloc continue.
The EU, alongside dozens of other economies, had been set to see its US tariff level increase from a baseline of 10 percent on Wednesday, but Mr Trump pushed back the deadline to August 1 just days before the elevated rates were due to take effect.
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