In a letter addressed to the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump writes that the trade relationship between the US and the EU has been "far from reciprocal" and led to "large and unsustainable trade deficits" for the US's part.
"We ask you to understand that the figure of 30 percent is far less than what is required to eliminate the trade deficit we have with the EU. As you know, there will be no tariffs if the European Union or companies within the EU decide to build or manufacture products in the US," Trump writes.
"Tariffs necessary"
The President warns the EU against raising import tariffs against the US in response.
"If for any reason you decide to raise your tariffs and take countermeasures, the number you choose to raise them with will be added to the 30 percent that we charge. We ask you to understand that these tariffs are necessary to correct the many years of the EU's tariff policy," Trump writes further in the letter.
Trump also threatens Mexico with introducing import tariffs of exactly 30 percent, with the motivation that "Mexico has not yet stopped the cartels" from smuggling narcotics to the US.
"Mexico has helped me to secure the border, but what Mexico has done is not enough," the President writes.
Countermeasures decided
Previously, the US has applied general tariffs on all goods from the EU of 10 percent and so-called sectoral tariffs at significantly higher levels on cars and car parts as well as steel and aluminum. Trump announced the tariffs on April 2 this year, but after an initial week of great concern on the stock market, they were put on ice for 90 days.
On Monday, the US announced that the deadline for negotiations on the US trade tariffs will be extended from July 9 to August 1. On the same day, Trump threatened 14 countries with tariffs of up to 40 percent.
Sweden's Minister for Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa said on Thursday that Sweden and the EU are ready to introduce countermeasures against the US: An EU package with tariffs on US goods for 25 billion euros is already decided and ready to be implemented. Another package with EU tariffs on US goods for nearly 90 billion is underway.
