Washington: United States President Donald Trump has imposed a 30 percent tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union starting on August 1, weeks after negotiations with the major trading partners failed to reach a more comprehensive trade deal.

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.

According to Donald Trump, a 30% tax will be imposed on European Union products and goods imported from Mexico starting from August 1.

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”.

Von der Leyen said in a statement that the bloc remained ready “to continue working towards an agreement by August 1”.

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.

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.