On 13 July, former US President Donald Trump announced the introduction of a 30 percent tariff on all imports from Mexico and the European Union, effective 1 August 2025. The tariffs were communicated through letters published on the social media platform Truth Social and are part of a wider proposal to introduce new trade duties on 24 countries.
The reasons given for the new tariffs include concerns over drug trafficking, particularly the flow of fentanyl, along with claims of unfair trade practices. In a message addressed to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump stated: “Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT what Mexico has done, is not enough.”
International Response
The proposed tariffs have received strong criticism from both Mexico and the EU:
- Mexico condemned the proposal as an “unfair deal” and emphasised that its national sovereignty is not negotiable.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the measures would “disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains” and signalled that the EU would consider proportionate countermeasures.
- After meetings in Brussels, European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič described the 30 percent tariff as “absolutely unacceptable” and confirmed that discussions would continue in an effort to reach a negotiated solution before the 1 August deadline.
Need Support Navigating Tariff Changes?
If introduced, these tariffs are expected to affect a wide range of industries and add complexity to international supply chains. This is especially true for businesses importing goods into the US from Mexico and EU member states.
At Beckchoice, we are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
Our customs and freight teams are ready to support your planning and response to changes in global trade policy. Contact us to discuss how we can help reduce the risk of disruption to your supply chain.
Please Note: The information in this article is accurate as of 14 July 2025. Trade policies are subject to rapid change and ongoing negotiation.