“The EU and Mexico finally learned the outcome of the ruling,” reported Spain’s El País. On the 12th, U.S. President Trump announced that starting August 1, tariffs of 30% would be imposed on goods imported from the EU and Mexico. French President Macron condemned the U.S. threats, emphasizing that if no agreement is reached, the EU would “use all available means and step up preparations for concrete countermeasures.” According to a statement by Mexican Economy Minister Ebrard, Mexico informed the U.S. at the negotiating table that the announcement of new tariffs was an “unfair move.” The New York Times reported on the 13th that although the economies threatened by Washington expressed intentions to continue negotiations, “the atmosphere is becoming increasingly hostile.” CNN commented that U.S. tariff actions have disrupted global trade, with Washington imposing a series of tariffs on trade partners, then suspending, modifying, raising, or lowering them. The chaotic policy moves have prompted everyone from major nations to American citizens to try to figure out how to plan for the future amid growing economic uncertainty. “Countries are negotiating how to reduce their dependence on the U.S.,” an analyst told The Guardian.
Mexican Official: This Is an Unfair Move
On the 12th local time, Trump posted letters on social media addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. He claimed that Mexico had failed to stop the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S. and had not done enough to cooperate with the U.S. in preventing illegal immigration. Regarding the EU, he accused it of imposing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers that have led to a massive U.S. trade deficit with Europe, asserting that the relationship was “far from reciprocal and mutually beneficial.”
The wording of the letters was largely consistent with those sent to leaders of other countries over the past week, including warnings against retaliating for the tariff hikes, encouragement for businesses to relocate to the U.S., and hints of potential tariff adjustments if cooperation was forthcoming.
During an event on the 12th, Sheinbaum expressed confidence that her government could still reach an agreement with the U.S. but emphasized that Mexico would not make any concessions on matters of national sovereignty. The New York Times reported that a Mexican delegation, led by Economy Minister Ebrard, arrived in Washington last Friday to discuss a potential agreement covering border security, immigration, trade, and water management. In a statement issued on the 12th, Ebrard said U.S. officials had informed their Mexican counterparts that the new tariffs were part of a “profound shift in U.S. trade policy” and would be announced in letters to global leaders. “At the negotiating table, we pointed out that this is an unfair move, and we do not agree with it,” he said. Citing unnamed sources, The Wall Street Journal described the ongoing bilateral discussions as “extremely difficult.” The new tariff threats come at a time of growing frustration and exhaustion with the U.S. administration.
“Trump has turned tariff notices into his primary tool of economic deterrence,” wrote Mexico’s El Financiero in a recent article. If no agreement is reached with the U.S., Mexico could face consequences such as rising inflation, reduced investment, economic stagnation, and heightened domestic political pressure. Data suggests that U.S. tariff policies could shrink Mexico’s GDP by 0.6 percentage points in 2025. Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao noted that 80% of Mexico’s exports go to the U.S., making it one of the countries most vulnerable to tariff measures.
“Whether in domestic politics or geopolitics, we face persistent and deliberate pressure from the U.S. government. One could say Washington has its foot on our necks,” wrote Mexico’s El Universal on the 12th, describing the tariff letters as “poisonous correspondence.” The article noted that the language in the letters revealed a “carrot-and-stick” approach by Washington. It argued that the U.S., facing severe fiscal challenges, is now insisting that multinational companies in Mexico relocate their factories to the U.S. Despite Mexico’s previous strategy of negotiation and caution—making “numerous concessions”—it has been met with “capricious betrayal.”
French Media: A “Slap in the Face” from the U.S.
The EU swiftly responded to the latest U.S. “tariff threat.” According to CNN, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated in a declaration on the 12th that the EU remains committed to reaching an agreement before the deadline. However, the U.S. imposing 30% tariffs would disrupt critical transatlantic supply chains and harm businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. The EU will take all necessary measures to protect its interests. On the 13th, von der Leyen announced an extension of the suspension period for retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. until early August. Under the previously announced plan, the EU’s first round of countermeasures was set to take effect on the 14th of this month.
Germany’s ARD reported on the 13th that Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, described the U.S. government’s letter as “arrogant and disrespectful.” He noted that Europe and the U.S. had engaged in intensive negotiations for over three weeks and proposed solutions to safeguard mutual interests. Trump’s sudden decision to impose additional tariffs, he argued, was unreasonable and lacked sincerity and due respect. AFP cited a statement from the Federation of German Industries, which warned that the U.S. government’s letter “sounded the alarm for industries on both sides of the Atlantic.” The Italian Wine Association declared that Washington’s letter marked “one of the darkest pages” in allied relations. France’s Le Monde described the U.S. move as a “slap in the face” for the EU.
France’s Radio France Internationale reported on the 12th that U.S. trade policies pose a “serious and real threat” to the EU. Complicating the EU’s predicament is its dependence on the U.S. for security, financial, and digital infrastructure, as well as internal divisions among member states. The New York Times and Germany’s Die Welt reported on the 13th that Europe is currently embroiled in debates over how to respond to the U.S. measures. France has “strongly opposed” Washington’s threats, with President Macron urging the EU to “resolutely defend European interests.” EU trade officials are under pressure to demonstrate the bloc’s strength in response. At the same time, German Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier has expressed hope for a “pragmatic outcome” in negotiations, seeking a solution focused on key points of contention.
“They Have No Choice But to Diversify”
As of the 12th, Trump had sent tariff letters via social media to 25 economies. However, The New York Times noted that the letters to the EU and Mexico were particularly significant, as they “marked a major escalation, directly targeting two of America’s closest and most critical trading partners.”
The Guardian reported on the 13th that in recent weeks, the EU had shifted from a tough stance to seeking an agreement, but the U.S. once again upended the situation. The “shocking threat of 30% tariffs on the EU has shaken confidence.” Spain’s El País described Washington’s letter as a “bomb” for Brussels, arriving just as trade negotiations between the two sides were accelerating.
As for Mexico, The Wall Street Journal noted that Sheinbaum had yet to meet Trump face-to-face since his return to the White House. The two had originally planned to meet during the G7 summit in June, but when Sheinbaum arrived after an eight-hour journey, she found Trump had already left early for Washington. The report stated that Mexico had been striving to meet U.S. demands while keeping communication channels open, with Economy Minister Ebrard frequently shuttling between Mexico City and Washington. “This government believes it is engaging with Trump and his cabinet, making progress in bilateral relations—only for the U.S. to do something that resets everything,” said Mexican political analyst Olga Sánchez. Former Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castañeda added that Sheinbaum had given the U.S. everything it wanted, doing so gracefully in hopes of securing a special deal, but in the end, “she got the same treatment as everyone else.”
In a commentary on the 12th, the Associated Press observed that over the past week, the U.S. government’s erratic trade policies had further confused nations hoping to negotiate their way out of Washington’s “wrath.” Former U.S. trade negotiator Wendy Cutler said the recent moves highlighted the “unpredictability, incoherence, and hardline posturing” of U.S. trade policy.
The New York Times reported that U.S. officials continued to frame tariff threats as a tactic to extract more concessions in negotiations. But with Trump’s timeline, the window to reach a deal and avoid punitive tariffs was closing fast. While the tariffs appeared to strengthen America’s bargaining position with other trade partners, business leaders stressed that, so far, the administration’s strategy had made operating abroad harder—not easier.
“Allies Want to Redraw the World Trade Map—Without the U.S.” The New York Times noted on the 13th that U.S. trade partners were strengthening ties among themselves, laying the groundwork for a global trade system less centered on America. The EU is seeking closer trade relationships with Canada, South Africa, and nations in South America and Asia, while also mending fences with the UK. Canada is moving closer to Southeast Asian countries, and Brazil and Mexico are working to deepen bilateral ties.
“Moving away from the U.S. will be difficult—it remains the world’s largest economy, with a thriving consumer market and leading technology and services. But many U.S. trade partners believe they have no choice but to diversify. While trade relationships are hard to change, once fully restructured, they’re equally hard to reverse,” the article concluded.
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