US President Donald Trump has imposed a 30 percent tariff on all goods imported from the European Union (EU) and Mexico. The new tariffs will take effect from August 1.

Trump made the announcement after talks with the two major trading partners collapsed a few days ago, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday (July 13).

In two separate letters on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said that Mexico is accused of its role in the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States, while the European Union is accused of trade imbalances.

Earlier this week, Trump announced new tariffs on goods from more than 20 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Canada and Brazil. In addition, a 50 percent tariff was imposed on copper.

Meanwhile, following Trump's decision, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Union is ready to take necessary measures to protect its interests, including considering "equal countermeasures."

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the European Union to “firmly defend Europe’s interests.” He said that if a deal is not reached, “we should be prepared to take all kinds of countermeasures,” including using the EU’s anti-coercive measures.

Essentially, through this law, if the European Union applies political pressure to a third country, they can retaliate by limiting government procurement contracts and other economic opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Mexican government said it learned of Trump's decision in advance during a meeting with US officials in Washington on Friday, calling the move "unfair."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said, "I believe the United States and Mexico can agree on better terms. In such a situation, the most important thing is to keep a cool head."

It should be noted that 80 percent of Mexico's exports go to the United States, so Trump's tariff decision could have a major impact on the country's economy.

Trump earlier announced tariffs of 35 percent on Canada and 50 percent on Brazil, citing the case against Brazil's right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro as a "witch-hunt" or political vendetta.