Trump acts 30 % of surcharge against the EU on August 1, von der Leyen “ready” to negotiate but prepares “countermeasures”-Liberation

At La Poste! Consequently, Donald Trump announced this Saturday. Moreover, July 12, having sent a letter to the European Union, in which he announced a 30 % customs surcharge on products from the European Union. Nevertheless, It will apply from August 1. For example, according to the publication of the American president on his Truth Social network, which once again involves the alleged commercial imbalance with the EU.

In early April. However, the Head of Republican State threatened the EU to inflict 20 % customs duties on European products exported to the United States. Meanwhile, At the end of May. Furthermore, frustrated by the lack of advance in negotiations with the European block, he had raised this rate to 50 %, with an effect announced on June 1, finally pushed on August 1.

The EU reacted by criticizing this decision while always saying that he is ready to continue working on an agreement. Meanwhile, “Impose customs duties of 30 % EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains. For example, to the detriment of companies, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic “denounced the president of the commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a press release. Nevertheless, “We remain ready to continue the work towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time. we will take all the necessary measures to safeguard the interests of the EU, including the trump acts 30 % surcharge adoption of proportionate countermeasures if necessary ”, she added.

In parallel. Donald Trump inflicts this Saturday the same customs duties in Mexico by President Claudia Sheinbaum, this time for the role of her neighbor in the delivery of drugs. Mexico “unfair” customs duties of 30 %. But the Mexican Ministry of Economy also said that discussions continue with the United States to find an agreement. before the new deadline on August 1.

Since Monday. around twenty countries have received a letter from Washington announcing customs duties of 20 to 50 % which will be applied to them on August 1. In his missives Trump also assures that any response will be sanctioned by an additional surcharge.

On July 5. Trump announced a first salvo of missives justifying: “It’s easier to send a saying letter:” Listen, we know that trump acts 30 % surcharge we have a certain deficit, or in some cases a surplus, but not much. And that’s what you have to pay to do business in the United States. “We did that with the United Kingdom and it was very good for both parties. With China, we did that, and I think it’s very good for both parties.” The days that followed. via missives published on his Truth Social network, the president announced revised customs duties for Canada or Brazil.

“Let’s see what’s going on when our friends in Washington wake up in a few hours. Olof Gill, spokesperson for the European executive spokesman on Friday, July 11, at a press conference. On our side, we are ready. “ The European Commission. the only competent to negotiate the EU trade agreements, has been looking in recent days to conclude an agreement in principle with the United trump acts 30 % surcharge States, the details of which would follow later.

In early April. the American president had caused a shock wave by announcing a drastic increase in customs duties against the rest of the world: a minimum surcharge of 10 %, which can go up to 50 % for countries exporting more to the United States than they are important to American products. After a world bronca. carafe markets, the Erratic Head of State had then suspended these customs taxes, leaving the way for commercial negotiations with each of the partners.

This capacity of customs barriers. encouraged in particular by its controversial advisor Peter Navarro, has been present since his return to the White House in January. Trump has made it a central axis of its economic policy: negotiation lever to obtain outside concessions. a means of defending the national industry or the source trump acts 30 % surcharge of new public revenues. He hates the idea that the United States has trade deficits. that is to say that it imports more goods from a country they do not export to it. Since April, the American president has threatened dozens of punitive customs duties business partners to rebalance exchanges.

Update : At 5:06 p.m., with the addition of Mexico’s reaction.