30% tariffs on Europe, Trump's letter is a slap in the face to Brussels: "Further increases if you react."

The letter has arrived, and it's a blow. US President Donald Trump shared via social media the White House's letter to the European Union detailing Washington's planned tariffs on European products exported to the United States. The tariffs, contrary to the most optimistic expectations of the day before, will be 30% on all goods , and will increase proportionally in the event of retaliation from Brussels.

In his letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , Trump used a threatening tone, to say the least. "The European Union will allow full and open access to the United States market, without charging us tariffs, in an effort to reduce the high trade deficit. If for any reason you decide to raise your tariffs and retaliate, the amount, whatever increase you choose, will be added to the 30% we apply ," is a passage from the text.

The tycoon's "advice" to European companies is to relocate to the United States , so they can hire locally and pay taxes to the Washington government. "As you know," Trump reminds us, "there will be no tariffs if the European Union, or companies within the EU, decide to build or produce products in the United States, and, in fact, we will do everything possible to obtain authorizations quickly, smoothly, and professionally—in other words, within a few weeks."

Trump is giving Europe very little time; the introduction of the 30% tariffs, barring further delays, is scheduled to begin next August . The US president is leaving the door open to Brussels, asking it to open European trade markets "so far closed to the United States" and " eliminate your tariff policies and trade barriers ." Only then, Trump adds, "can we consider amending this letter. These tariffs could be adjusted, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your country."

The first angry statement about Trump's offensive comes from Brussels. The letter's recipient, President Ursula von der Leyen , reacted, describing tariffs as "disrupting key transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic." While the President of the European Commission says she is ready to "continue working to reach an agreement by August 1," she also announces that " we will take all necessary measures to safeguard the EU's interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures, if necessary ."

The trade war is leaving Giorgia Meloni 's Italian government clearly struggling to position itself, both because it wants to avoid breaking with the White House and because it wants to avoid isolating itself within Europe.

Hence the note circulated by Palazzo Chigi after Trump's announcement, which emphasizes that the government " fully supports the European Commission's efforts , which will be further intensified in the coming days." "We trust in the goodwill of all stakeholders," the statement continues, "to reach a fair agreement that can strengthen the West as a whole, given that, particularly in the current scenario, it would make no sense to trigger a trade war between the two sides of the Atlantic." "Now," the government concludes, "it is essential to remain focused on the negotiations, avoiding polarization that would make reaching an agreement more difficult."