30% tariffs on the EU starting August 1: Trump's letter. Von der Leyen: "Countermeasures are ready."
MILAN – Donald Trump 's letter to Europe has arrived. And despite the most optimistic expectations, the US president is currently taking a hard line toward the EU: 30% tariffs on all goods, rising proportionally in the event of retaliation from Brussels. The European response was immediate, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warning of the potential "disruption" to US-EU supply chains. On the government side, Palazzo Chigi merely reiterated its "full support" for the EU's efforts, noting that "it would make no sense to spark a trade war."
Berlin: "EU should negotiate pragmatically"
The EU must negotiate with Donald Trump "pragmatically," said German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, following the US President's letter announcing the introduction of 30 percent tariffs on EU imports, effective August 1st. "The EU must now, in the time it has left, pragmatically negotiate a solution with the United States that focuses on the main points of contention," the minister stated.
Focus. What is the coercion mechanism?
The Coercion Mechanism is an EU tool to counter external economic pressure, particularly those that seek to coerce the Union or its Member States into making specific decisions through threats or trade and investment actions. It allows the EU to respond to coercive practices by third countries by using countermeasures that may include trade restrictions, investment limitations, and other measures.
Macron: "Activate coercion mechanisms if necessary."
"France shares the firm disapproval of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding the 30% US tariffs. "Within European unity, it is now more than ever up to the Commission to affirm the Union's determination to resolutely defend European interests. This includes accelerating the preparation of credible countermeasures, mobilizing all available tools, including the coercion mechanism, if an agreement is not reached by August 1st," French President Emmanuel Macron stated on X.
Hungary: "Yet another demonstration of von der Leyen's incompetence."
"Further proof of the incompetence of von der Leyen and the European Commission. They failed to secure a favorable tariff agreement with the United States, and once again, Europeans are paying the price. We said it: EU tariffs on the United States should have been lowered after Trump's inauguration. We need patriots, not bureaucrats!" Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote in X.
Coldiretti: "A mortal blow to Made in Italy."
The 30% tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on European products could cost American families and the Italian agri-food industry over €2.3 billion. This is according to an estimate by Coldiretti, based on the impact on national supply chains already experienced by the additional tariffs imposed by the tycoon during his first term, which led to a double-digit drop in sales for the affected products. The possible disappearance of many Italian products from the shelves would represent a boost for the already thriving counterfeiting industry, estimated to be worth 40 billion. The immediate damage in terms of a likely decline in exports would be compounded by the lack of growth, with Made in Italy food in the US aiming to surpass the €9 billion mark this year, after reaching a record €7.8 billion last year, thanks to a 17% increase in sales compared to 2023, according to a Coldiretti analysis based on Istat data. Another factor is that the new additional tariffs would be added to existing ones, particularly penalizing certain key supply chains, especially those already subject to duties. With the 30% tariff, the additional tariffs for some iconic Made in Italy products would reach 45% for cheeses, 35% for wines, 42% for processed tomatoes, 36% for stuffed pasta, and 42% for homogenized jams and preserves, according to a Coldiretti projection. "Imposing 30% duties on European – and therefore Italian – agri-food products would be a huge blow to the real economy, to the agricultural businesses that work every day to bring quality and identity to the world, but also to American consumers, who would be deprived of authentic products or forced to pay much more for them, in addition to fueling the phenomenon of Italian-sounding products," says Coldiretti president Ettore Prandini.
Gardini (Confcooperative): "A knockout blow"
"The 30% tariffs announced by Trump are a technical knockout blow for our exports and for some of our manufacturing districts," commented Confcooperative President Maurizio Gardini: "Trump is proving to be a sower of controversy and discord, while the EU is showing its usual ineffectiveness." Now, "we must continue to push through diplomatic channels and salvage what can be salvaged, but the EU must take this into account with a view to the new CAP and cohesion funds. It must act intelligently, not with technocratic shortsightedness. The US market is neither quick nor easy to replace." "With the 10% tariffs," Gardini recalls, "we had calculated with Censis a severe impact on employment, with 68,000 fewer jobs and a loss of €18 billion in export value, equal to 25% of total exports."
Federvini: "This is a very serious and unjustified measure."
"The imposition of a 30% across-the-board tariff indiscriminately affects high-value-added sectors like ours," said Giacomo Ponti, President of Federvini. "It is a very serious and unjustified measure, which penalizes not only European producers, but also American economic operators who are an integral part of our supply chain." Federvini notes that economic relations between the European Union and the United States are deeply intertwined, particularly in sectors related to agri-food, distribution, and catering. Unilateral measures like this, adopted without consultation or discussion, undermine the principle of reciprocity on which international trade is based and risk producing long-lasting and damaging consequences for both sides.
Costa: "Firm and united to protect our interests."
"The EU remains firm, united, and ready to protect our interests, fully supporting the efforts of President von der Leyen and the Commission to reach a fair agreement with the United States," wrote European Council President Antonio Costa in X. "Free and fair trade fosters prosperity, creates jobs, and strengthens supply chains. Tariffs are taxes. They fuel inflation, create uncertainty, and hinder economic growth. We will continue to build strong trade partnerships around the world," he explained.
League: "We're paying the price for a German-led Europe."
"Trade relations between the US and Italy are excellent, and—as the government rightly emphasized—the conflict is senseless. Trump has no reason to attack our country, but once again we are paying the price of a German-led Europe. Instead of threatening retaliation that might only raise eyebrows overseas, Germany's von der Leyen should eliminate the excessive EU bureaucracy, which is the real toll our businesses pay, as demonstrated by the damage done by the Green Deal ideology. Brussels' follies have damaged European businesses and families well before Trump's possible tariffs." This was a statement from the League.
Mexico slams Trump: "Unfair deal"
Mexico criticizes Donald Trump's threat to impose 30% tariffs as an "unfair deal."
Lega: "We pay for tariffs in Europe, led by Germany."
Trade relations between the US and Italy are excellent, and—as the government rightly emphasized—the conflict is senseless. Trump has no reason to attack our country, but once again we are paying the price of a German-led Europe." This is a statement from the League. According to Matteo Salvini's party, "rather than threatening retaliation that might only raise eyebrows overseas, Germany's von der Leyen should eliminate the excessive EU bureaucracy, which is the real toll our businesses pay, as demonstrated by the damage done by the Green Deal ideology. Brussels' follies have damaged European businesses and families well before Trump's possible tariffs."
Focus: Goods and services: how much is US-EU trade worth?
Netherlands: "30% tariffs are worrying, not the right choice."
"The US announcement to impose 30% tariffs on goods imported from the European Union is worrying and does not represent the way forward. The European Commission can count on our full support. As the EU, we must remain united and resolute in pursuing a mutually beneficial solution with the United States," Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof wrote in X.
The impact of tariffs: three scenarios before Trump's letter
The meeting of EU ambassadors will take place tomorrow afternoon.
Following the US announcement that it would impose 30% tariffs on the EU, a meeting of the permanent representatives of the 27 EU member states, Coreper, has been called for tomorrow afternoon. This was announced in Brussels.
Italian Wine Union: "Tariffs of 30% would be equivalent to an embargo on 80%" of wine.
"A single letter was enough to write the darkest chapter in relations between two historic Western allies. The 30% tariff on wine, if confirmed, would be virtually an embargo on 80% of Italian wine. At this point, our fate and that of hundreds of thousands of jobs are tied to the extra time, which will be crucial, because it is unthinkable to be able to sell these volumes of wine elsewhere in the short term. At the same time, extraordinary intervention from the EU will undoubtedly be needed." This was stated by Lamberto Frescobaldi, president of the Italian Wine Union (UIV), commenting on the Trump administration's letter announcing additional 30% tariffs on the European Union starting August 1st.
EU informed in advance of Trump's letter
The European Commission was aware of the US decision to announce 30% tariffs on the EU starting August 1st. This was revealed by a spokeswoman for the EU executive, who was asked specifically whether Brussels learned of the decision from the letter published by Donald Trump on the social media site Truth. "Yes, we were informed in advance," she stated.
Orsini: "The letter is an unpleasant attempt to negotiate."
Regarding the imposition of 30% tariffs on EU exports to the US, "we need to remain calm and keep our nerves. We cannot jeopardize our financial markets. It's obvious that the letter from the United States is an unpleasant desire to negotiate," commented Confindustria President Emanuele Orsini.
Focus: How Much Is US-EU Trade Worth?
EU: "We are ready to work towards an agreement, but we will take necessary measures."
"We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary measures to protect EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if necessary." The European Commission stated this in a statement, "taking note" of the letter sent by US President Donald Trump, in which he announced the imposition of 30% tariffs starting August 1.
That level of tariff rate "would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic," the EU executive notes. "Few economies in the world can match the EU's level of openness and respect for fair trade practices," the statement continues, emphasizing that the bloc has "consistently prioritized a negotiated solution with the United States, demonstrating our commitment to dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership." "In the meantime, we continue to deepen our global partnerships, firmly anchored in the principles of rules-based international trade," the document concludes.
Von der Leyen: "30% tariffs would disrupt US-EU supply chains."
"We take note of the letter sent by US President Trump." "Imposing 30 percent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt key transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic." "We remain ready to continue working to reach an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary measures to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures, if necessary." This was stated by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von de Haan.
Palazzo Chigi: "Full support for EU efforts"
"The Italian government continues to closely monitor the ongoing negotiations between the European Union and the United States, fully supporting the European Commission's efforts, which will be further intensified in the coming days." This was stated in a statement from Palazzo Chigi following US President Donald Trump's announcement of 30% tariffs against the EU.
Palazzo Chigi: "The US-EU trade war makes no sense."
"We trust in the goodwill of all stakeholders to reach a fair agreement that can strengthen the West as a whole, given that—particularly in the current scenario—it would make no sense to trigger a trade conflict between the two sides of the Atlantic." This was stated in a statement from Palazzo Chigi following US President Donald Trump's announcement of 30% tariffs against the EU.
Bonelli (Avs): "Trump declares war on the world, risking economic and social disaster."
"He finally did it! Trump, like an extortionist and declaring war on the entire world, signed the letter introducing 30% tariffs on Europe, creating the conditions for economic and social disaster. Now Europe must respond with counter-tariffs on American products and tax the profits of Big Tech," commented Angelo Bonelli, AVS MP and co-spokesperson for Europa Verde. "The Meloni government must immediately block the promise to purchase LNG and US weapons made to Trump at the meeting in Washington last April. This global right wants to impoverish our economy and our people, and Giorgia Meloni is incapable of defending our national interests, having proven herself to be Trump's proxy for business in Italy and Europe."
Federalimentare: "30% intolerable"
"Every tariff is harmful to trade, and we would have preferred a Euro-Atlantic free trade area with zero tariffs. The imposition of a 30% tariff exceeds any threshold businesses can tolerate, increasing the risk of a significant decline in exports, especially given the current devaluation of the dollar." This was the comment of Federalimentare President Paolo Mascarino on US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 30% tariff on all European products entering the United States starting August 1st.
"The combined impact of US tariffs and the devaluation of the dollar will be unsustainable for several sectors," Mascarino continues, "and to protect businesses, we are calling on the EU to intervene through public intervention. Just as the United States has done with tariffs, which are essentially public intervention to protect its industry, we too are calling for the same. However, we are not thinking of subsidies, but rather of urgent structural measures to strengthen our competitiveness by reducing internal EU tariffs: streamlining the bureaucratic burden on businesses, reforming energy markets to ensure lower prices, and facilitating access to credit. In this sense, pursuing more decisively the path of interest rate cuts in the eurozone could help economic growth."
The full text of the letter
"Dear Madam President, It is a great honor for me to send you this letter, as it demonstrates the strength and commitment of our trade relationship and the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with the European Union, despite one of our largest trade deficits with you. Nonetheless, we have decided to move forward, but only with more balanced and equitable trade. Therefore, we invite you to participate in the extraordinary economy of the United States, by far the world's number one market. We have had years to discuss our trade relationship with the European Union and have concluded that we must abandon these long-term, large, and persistent trade deficits, created by your tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers. Our relationship has, unfortunately, been anything but reciprocal. Effective August 1, 2025, we will apply a 30% tariff to the European Union on EU products shipped to the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs. Goods transshipped to avoid a higher tariff will be subject to that higher tariff. Please understand that 30% is far less than what is needed to close the trade deficit we have with the EU. As you know, there will be no tariffs if the European Union, or companies within the EU, decide to build or produce products in the United States, and, in fact, we will do everything possible to obtain authorizations quickly, professionally, and properly—in other words, within a few weeks. The European Union will allow us full and open access to the U.S. market, without imposing tariffs, in an effort to reduce the high trade deficit. If for any reason you decide to raise your tariffs and respond, the amount, whatever the increase, will be added to the 30% we apply. Please understand that these tariffs are necessary to correct the many years of tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers of the European Union that have caused the large and unsustainable trade deficits faced by the United States. This deficit poses a serious threat to our economy and, indeed, our national security! We look forward to working with you as your trading partner for many years to come. If you wish to open your currently closed trade markets to the United States and eliminate your tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers, we may consider amending this letter. These tariffs may be adjusted, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your country. You will never be disappointed by the United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Best wishes, Donald J. Trump".
Schlein: "Negotiate against Trump's autarchic madness."
"I'm saying this right away, because if we wait for Meloni to speak... I hope that between now and August 1st there's still time to negotiate and avoid a trade war that would have dire consequences for the Italian, European, and even American economies—an autarchic folly that will only harm the economy." This was Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein's comment on Trump's tariffs on Europe. Schlein was informed of the US president's letter while speaking at the National Conference on Industrial Policies organized by the party and immediately responded.
Trump: "We're ready to review tariffs if the market opens up."
"We look forward to working with you as your trading partner for many years to come. If you wish to open your closed trade markets to the United States and eliminate your tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers, we may consider amending this letter. These tariffs may be adjusted, up or down, depending on our relationship with your country." This is what US President Donald Trump wrote in his letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Trump: "No tariffs for those who move companies to the US"
"As you know, there will be no tariffs if the European Union, or companies within the EU, decide to build or produce products in the United States, and, in fact, we will do everything we can to obtain approvals quickly, smoothly, and professionally—in other words, within a matter of weeks," US President Donald Trump wrote in his letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
30% tariffs also for Mexico
Donald Trump posted on Truth the letter he sent to Mexico, in which he announced 30% tariffs starting August 1st, threatening to double them in the event of retaliation. This is the same measure he announced for Brussels.
Trump's letter published on Truth
Trump to the EU: If you react, every countermeasure adds up to 30%
"The European Union will allow full and open access to the United States market, without charging us tariffs, in an effort to reduce the high trade deficit. If for any reason you decide to raise your tariffs and respond, the amount, whatever increase you choose, will be added to the 30% we apply." This is what US President Donald Trump wrote in his letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. (
Trump imposes 30% tariffs on goods arriving from the European Union.
US President Donald Trump published on Truth his letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, announcing the introduction of 30% tariffs on goods arriving from the European Union starting August 1st.
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