EU, Mexico to face 30% tariff from August 1: US

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 30 percent tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union starting on August 1, reports Al Jazeera.

Trump announced the new tariffs on two of the US's biggest trade partners in separate letters posted to his Truth Social platform on Saturday (July 12).

The decision has come weeks after negotiations with the major trading partners failed to reach a more comprehensive trade deal.

The duties are higher than the 25 percent levy Trump imposed on Mexican goods earlier this year, although products entering the US under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement are exempted.

In response, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was prepared to take the necessary steps to safeguard its interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required. "The bloc remained ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron called on the EU to "resolutely defend European interests", saying, "It should step up the preparation of credible countermeasures by mobilising all instruments at its disposal, including anti-coercion if the two sides failed to reach an agreement."

Earlier this week, Trump issued new tariff announcements for more than 20 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Canada and Brazil, as well as a 50 percent tariff on copper.