European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, in response to President Trump’s latest tariff announcement, say they are open to trade talks but won’t rule out taking countermeasures.
Trump in his Saturday letters to von der Leyen and Sheinbaum announced a 30 percent tariff rate on goods imported into the U.S. beginning Aug. 1, after an initial 90-day pause and deadline delay lapses on the import taxes.
“Imposing 30 percent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” the European Union (EU) leader wrote in a statement.
“Few economies in the world match the European Union’s level of openness and adherence to fair trading practices,” von der Leyen continued. “The EU has consistently prioritized a negotiated solution with the U.S., reflecting our commitment to dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership.”
Still, the European leader said the commission is open to working toward an agreement before the latest deadline arrives.
“We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1,” von der Leyen wrote. “At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”
She added, “Meanwhile, we continue to deepen our global partnerships, firmly anchored in the principles of rules-based international trade.”
Sheinbaum on Saturday said Mexican leaders met with the Trump administration on Thursday to discuss “issues of security, migration, border and water management.”
“We mentioned at the meeting that this was an unfair deal and that we disagreed,” she wrote in a statement, according to translation. She added later, “In other words, Mexico is already in negotiations.”
In April, Trump hit the EU with a 20 percent tariff. Following his “Liberation Day” announcement, von der Leyen said the commission was open to trade discussions. Later in the month, she lashed out at Trump, accusing him of leaning on an “unpredictable tariff policy.”
The president has in the past claimed the EU has been unfair to the U.S. and argued that the bloc of nations was created to “screw” America. Several of the union’s member states — including Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands — are considered top trading partners.
Mexico, which is the U.S.’s top trading partner, along with Canada earlier this year were slapped with 25 percent tariffs — with the exception of goods covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Sheinbaum and Trump have also clashed in the past over the import taxes.
In her statement Saturday, the Mexican leader said trade talks were focused on looking to protect companies and jobs “on both sides of the border.”
Trump in recent days began sending letters to various countries with new tariff rates set to begin on Aug. 1. The duties on goods coming into the U.S. have hit top trade partners and poorer countries alike as he reorients the nation’s trade policy.
So far, the leaders of 25 countries have received letters with updated “retaliatory” tariff rates ranging from 20 percent to 50 percent.
While he originally said the August date was “not firm” for imposing the taxes, the president has since doubled down on the deadline — though the Trump administration has left open the door for more trade deals.
Trump has so far announced just one official agreement with the United Kingdom as well as frameworks for deals with China and Vietnam.
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