President Trump announced Saturday that imports from Mexico and the European Union will be subject to a 30% tariff starting on Aug. 1.

“Despite our strong relationship, you will recall, the United States imposed Tariffs on Mexico to deal with our Nation’s Fentanyl crisis, which is caused, in part, by Mexico’s failure to stop the Cartels, who are made up of the most despicable people who ever walked the Earth, from pouring these drugs into our country,” Trump wrote in a letter to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, which was posted on Truth Social.

The letter is one of dozens the president has fired off to foreign leaders this week ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline for nations to secure trade pacts with the US. 

Earlier this year, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Mexican goods in an effort to get the US neighbor to clamp down on illegal immigration and drug smuggling. The tariff excluded imports subject to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that the president negotiated during his first term.

“Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done is not enough,” the president added. “Mexico still has not stopped the Cartels who are trying to turn all of North America into a Narco-Trafficking Playground.”

“Obviously, I cannot let that happen!”

“Starting August 1. 2025, we will charge Mexico a Tariff of 30% on Mexican products sent into the United States,” the president said. 

Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed Saturday that it was informed of the looming tariffs during a July 11 meeting with Trump administration officials in Washington, DC. 

“We mentioned at the meeting that this was an unfair deal and that we disagreed,” the ministry said in a statement, noting that the Mexican government “is already in negotiations” related to a trade pact. 

Trump indicated the tariffs on Mexican goods will be “separate from all Sectoral Tariffs” and that ”goods transshipped to evade higher Tariffs will be subject to that higher Tariff.”

He noted that Mexican companies that opt to “build or manufacture product within the United States” will not be subject to tariffs and that his administration “will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely — In other words, in a matter of weeks.” 

“If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 30% that we charge,” Trump warned. 

Mexico is the US’s largest trading partner.

Last year, the US traded an estimated $839.9 billion in goods with its southern neighbor, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative. 

The US trade deficit with Mexico — which Trump described as a “major threat” to the American economy and national security — was estimated to be $171.8 billion in 2024, a 12.7% increase from 2023. 

Trump informed Canada – America’s second-largest trading partner – earlier this week that it will face a 35% tariff come Aug. 1.  

“These Tariffs may be modified, upward or downward depending on our relationship with your Country,” the president said. 

“You will never be disappointed with The United States of America.”

In a similar letter, Trump notified the European Union on Saturday that he plans to slap the bloc with 30% tariffs. 

“It is a Great Honor for me to send you this letter in that it demonstrates the strength and commitment of our Trading Relationship, and the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with The European Union, despite having one of our largest Trade Deficits with you,” Trump wrote in his missive to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 

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European Union negotiators had reportedly been nearing a trade deal with Trump earlier this week that would set 10% tariffs on the 27-member group. 

Von der Leyen argued that the tariffs on EU members would harm Americans, and warned that “countermeasures” may be taken.

“A 30% tariff on EU exports would hurt businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” the EU Commission president wrote on X. 

“We will continue working towards an agreement by August 1,” she added. “At the same time, we are ready to safeguard EU interests on the basis of proportionate countermeasures.”

Trump had previously threatened tariffs on the EU ranging from 20% to 50%.

“We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with The European Union, and have concluded that we must move away from these long-term, large, and persistent, Trade Deficits, engendered by your Tariff, and Non-Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers,” the president wrote. “Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.” 

“Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge The European Union a Tariff of only 30% on EU products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs.” 

With Mexico and the EU receiving their letters, Trump has now notified more than 25 countries that failed to reach trade agreements during a 90-day pause on his so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs of their looming rates. 

“Not everybody has to get a letter,” Trump told NBC News earlier this week. “You know that. We’re just setting our tariffs.”

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has reached preliminary deals with the United Kingdom, China and Vietnam and announced a “roadmap” forward with India.