[Observer Network, Liu Bai] As the idea of Europe seeking unity through compromise was unveiled, President Donald Trump’s 30% tariff threat struck with a heavy blow, causing uproar among European countries.
On July 12th, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized tariffs disrupting the Atlantic supply chain and stated that all necessary measures would be taken to protect their interests, considering “appropriate countermeasures,” but also expressed that “the priority is always to reach a solution with the United States.” French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “strong dissatisfaction” with Trump’s tariff threats, calling on the EU to prepare “credible countermeasures” as soon as possible.
Moreover, Italian Prime Minister, Danish Foreign Minister, Swedish Prime Minister, and others have also voiced their opposition to initiating a transatlantic trade war, emphasizing that escalation of trade conflicts does not benefit anyone, and American consumers will bear the high costs.
According to reports from The Financial Times and Agence France-Presse, Macron expressed “strong dissatisfaction” about US tariffs on social media. France and the European Commission unanimously strongly oppose the announcement by the US to impose a 30% tariff on EU exports starting from August 1st.
He called for the European Commission to demonstrate its determination to defend its interests. If an agreement cannot be reached between Europe and the US before August 1st, the EU should utilize all available tools, including anti-coercion mechanisms, to accelerate preparation of “credible countermeasures.” France supports the European Commission in intensifying negotiations with the US, aiming to reach an agreement acceptable to both sides by August 1st.
On July 10th, Macron attended a meeting in London, UK.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Ventura stated that under the current circumstances, “invoking a trade war between Atlantic partners is meaningless,” and both parties should reach a fair agreement beneficial to the West based on “goodwill.” Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars-Lund Pålsson, in an interview with Danish television, described Trump’s actions as “meaningless and short-sighted”; Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Hedlund warned during an interview with Swedish television (SVT) that escalating trade conflicts are “a loss for everyone, and ultimately, it will be the American consumers who pay the price.”
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar also expressed full support for the European Union and indicated his preference for “achieving a solution through negotiation to avoid escalation,” adding that he hopes negotiations will succeed in the coming weeks. Given Ireland’s significant exports of medicines to the United States, this dispute has been particularly sensitive for the country.
Earlier on the 12th, Ursula von der Leyen released a statement on X platform stating that the imposition of a 30% tariff on EU exports to the US would harm the supply chains, businesses, and consumers across the Atlantic.
“There are few economies in the world that can match the openness and adherence to fair trade practices of the EU,” she said, “The EU always prioritizes reaching solutions through negotiations with the United States, reflecting our commitment to dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership.”
Von der Leyen also pointed out that the EU is “ready at all times” to continue its efforts to reach an agreement with the US before August 1st, “but at the same time, we will take all necessary measures to protect our interests, including taking appropriate countermeasures when necessary.”
She added that the EU will continue to deepen its global partnership based on the so-called “rules-based principles of international trade.”
The “Politico” in the United States reported that following Trump’s announcement of tariffs, the European Commission urgently requested staff to cancel weekend arrangements and return to work immediately to address related matters. Member states also swiftly entered a crisis mode. It is reported that the EU’s first round of countermeasures against $21.5 billion worth of American goods will take effect early on the 15th local time, with a second round covering approximately $70 billion worth of American products being prepared.
On July 10th, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke about the Ukraine issue in Italy.
On the 12th, Trump unveiled a letter of tariffs to Von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on social media platform “Truth Social.” This week, he has sent letters of tariffs to over 20 countries and pressured trading partners to further negotiate.
“For many years, we have been discussing trade relations with the EU, and it has been concluded that the US must break free from the long-term, substantial, and ongoing trade deficit caused by EU tariffs, non-tariff policies, and trade barriers,” Trump stated in the letter to von der Leyen, “Unfortunately, our relationship is far from mutually beneficial.”
Trump announced that starting August 1st, the US would impose a 30% tariff on products exported from the EU to the US, stating that this tariff would be independent of all other industry tariffs. Products produced or manufactured by EU companies within the US would be exempt from the tariff.
Trump also threatened that the EU must provide the US with fully open market access without imposing retaliatory tariffs. He said, “No matter how much you choose to raise tariffs, we will add the same tariffs on top of 30%.”
It is worth mentioning that before this, Bloomberg and Politico EU among other media outlets had just released news that the EU would make significant concessions in negotiations with the US, abandoning plans to tax American digital companies.
An EU diplomat recently expressed optimism that before reaching an agreement, they would not receive a tariff letter from Trump similar to those from Japan, South Korea, and Canada.
In a letter to Mexican President Sinaloa, Trump stated that he set up tariff barriers to prevent the flow of fentanyl into the United States. He wrote: “Mexico has been helping me defend our borders, but what Mexico has done is not enough.”
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Economy issued a joint statement on the 12th, stating that, in light of the US’s announcement of new tariffs of 30% on Mexican products starting from August 1st, the Mexican government considers this as “unfair treatment”. Mexico has begun negotiations with the United States to protect border businesses and jobs.
During a speech at an event, Mexican President Sinaloa expressed that Mexico’s sovereignty cannot be negotiated, believing she could reach an agreement with the United States by August 1st.
Analysts have pointed out that this mutual imposition of tariffs is essentially undermining the global trade system built on the principle of “most-favored-nation” (MFN) treatment for decades. According to this principle, countries are not allowed to impose higher tariffs on one another than on other countries.
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former Director of the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, noted that the United States is likely to be excluded from future global trade patterns.
“They are busy discussing where their future will go, while we are not part of it,” he said.