US-EU Trade Clash Intensifies with 30% Tariffs, Retaliation Threats

US President Donald Trump announced new 30% tariffs on goods imported from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1, escalating tensions between the US and EU amid stalled trade negotiations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU's commitment to dialogue but warned that the bloc would take all necessary steps, including proportionate countermeasures, to protect its interests if no agreement is reached by the deadline. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, criticized the move, emphasizing the need for unity and the preparation of credible countermeasures, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged all sides to avoid polarizations that would hinder a deal. The tariffs threaten to impact a wide range of products such as French cheeses, Italian leather, German electronics, and Spanish medicines in the US, as well as affect consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. Germany's Economy Minister Katherina Reiche highlighted the damaging effects of the tariffs on European exporters and US consumers alike, calling for a pragmatic resolution to the dispute. The EU is considering invoking its Anti-Coercion Instrument to respond to the economic pressure from the US tariffs.