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On the 12th, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 30% tariff on products imported from the European Union (EU) and Mexico. This measure is set to take effect on August 1 and is part of a new round of tariff notifications that Trump has already rolled out targeting 25 countries.

Initially, when Trump announced equal tariffs on April 2, the applicable rate for the EU was set at 20%, while Mexico had been subject to a 25% tariff shortly after Trump took office. Now, the tariffs for both countries have been raised in the latest letter communication.

Notably, in the letter sent to Mexico, Trump indicated that he might consider adjusting the tariff if Mexico could stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States. This condition seems aimed at encouraging the Mexican government to enhance its efforts to combat drug trafficking.

The response from the EU is particularly noteworthy. Olof Gill, the spokesperson for the European Commission's trade division, had previously expressed optimism that the EU would not receive a tariff letter and would reach an agreement with the U.S. in other forms. However, not only did the EU receive the letter, but the tariff rate was also increased.

This series of tariff changes is expected to have profound implications for trade relations between the U.S. and these countries, raising concerns about other nations, such as Japan, potentially becoming the next targets of Trump's trade policy.

In the coming weeks, global markets will closely monitor the impact of these changes on international trade, anticipating how exporters and importers will respond to the policy adjustments. Whether Trump's approach will bring greater trade benefits to the U.S. remains a topic for discussion.