Posted 13/07/2025 08:29
The tariff climb promoted by President Donald Trump gained new contours on Saturday (13), when the Republican announced a 30% rate on all imported products from Mexico and the European Union.
The measure comes into force on August 1, if countries do not accept to renegotiate the commercial terms directly with Washington. The decision was formalized in letters released on the former president’s social network, in an authoritarian and unilateral tone.
In one of the messages, Trump accused Mexico of not having done enough to contain the Fentanil cartels and said the country would be turning North America into a “playground of drug trafficking.”
In another stretch, it required the European Union to “completely open its market to United States products” in exchange for a tariff suspension.
“Despite our strong relationship, you should remember that the United States have imposed fees on Mexico to deal with the fentanyl crisis, caused in part by the failure of Mexico to stop the cartels, which are made up of some of the most negligible people who have ever stepped on Earth,” Trump wrote to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Mexico reacts and says that sovereignty “is not negotiable”
The Government of Mexico was the first to respond, with a tough communication of the Ministries of Economics and Foreign Affairs. Authorities have classified tariffs as “unfair treatment” and promised to seek an alternative that protect companies and jobs on both sides of the border.
During a sound event, Claudia Sheinbaum said she will keep her head cold, but will not give up national autonomy.
“We are clear about what we can negotiate with the United States and what we cannot. And there is something that is never negotiable: the sovereignty of our country,” he said.
The Mexican president also indicated that conversations are open, but warned that Mexico exports more than 80% of its products to the US and will not accept unbalanced agreements.
European Union denounces blackmail and threatens to retaliate
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the announcement was a surprise and accused the US of adopting unfair business practices.
“We will take all the necessary measures to safeguard the interests of the EU, including the adoption of proportional contracted, if necessary,” he said.
In response to Trump’s letter, von der Leyen recalled that “a few economies in the world are equivalent to the European Union’s opening and adhesion to fair business practices.”
France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands expressed support for the bloc’s positioning. French President Emmanuel Macron has asked the commission to accelerate the contracted.
The German minister defended a pragmatic solution, but made it clear that the EU will not accept intimidation.
European central bank studies indicate that a 20% US tariff would reduce block growth by 1 percentage point by 2027.
With the threat of a 30%rate, the impact can be even deeper – especially in countries with strong dependence on exports such as Germany and Italy.
More than 20 countries notified, including Brazil
Trump’s new threats are part of a flood of letters sent throughout the week to at least 23 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Canada and Brazil.
In the Brazilian case, the 50% rate had already been announced days earlier and generated firm reaction from President Lula, who said that “Brazil will adopt the necessary measures to protect its people and companies.”
In addition to widespread surcharge, Trump also imposed a 50% tariff on copper, reaching strategic sectors from various countries. It still maintains anterior sectoral tariffs: 50% on steel and aluminum, and 25% on vehicles.
Aggressive rhetoric coincides with the approach of the Republican Convention and aims to consolidate its image with the protectionist base. Trump tries to justify measures as a defense of American interests, but already faces internal criticism and diplomatic reactions of historical allies.
Source: vermelho.org.br
