'Will continue to work towards an agreement': European Commission President Leyen reacts to Donald Trump's 30 % tariff decision

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reacted to US President Donald Trump's tariff decision and has said that a 30% imposition would hurt businesses.

"A 30% tariff on EU exports would hurt businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we are ready to safeguard EU interests on the basis of proportionate countermeasures," she wrote on X after Trump's announcement earlier today.

Trump made the announcement on tariff for both EU and Mexico through two letters shared on social media. The move adds pressure on US allies to renegotiate trade terms before the new rates take effect on August 1.

This has come after Donald Trump has spent the past week sending out letters to different countries. Trump's decision for different countries came after tweaking his proposed tariff levels from April and inviting trading partners to negotiate further.

The EU had been hoping to conclude a tentative deal with the EU to stave off the tariff, but Trump’s letter dulled optimism for an 11th-hour agreement between the major economies.

“The European Union will allow complete, open Market Access to the United States,” Trump said, or “whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added on too the 30% that we charge.”

In his letter to Mexico, Trump said the country has been “helping me secure the border,” but added that it wasn’t enough.