Originally, the country-specific US additional tariffs were supposed to come into effect on 9 July 2025. However, on 7 July 2025, US President Trump signed an executive order tightening the previous trade policy and at the same time extending the current ‘pause’ on country-specific reciprocal tariffs until 1 August 2025. The 10% tariffs that have been in place to date will therefore remain in force. In addition, the US government has published an official update of the country-specific tariff rates.
Tariffs as a means of pressure: escalation not ruled out
In addition to extending the ‘pause’ on reciprocal tariffs, President Trump has sent letters to various countries (see table) setting out the country-specific additional tariffs that will apply from 1 August 2025. The EU has not yet received such a letter. However, in a fact sheet, the US government announces that it will readjust tariffs on countries that continue to benefit from ‘unfair trade advantages’ in the coming days or weeks.
For economic operators, this means a brief respite. However, it remains uncertain when a corresponding letter will be sent to the EU and what its content will be. The EU's response is also still open. As things stand at present, however, there are many indications that the suspension of EU countermeasures will be extended until the beginning of August in order to create further room for negotiation.
Confrontation instead of cooperation
In the letters already published, Trump also openly threatens to implement further tariff increases if countries respond to the new measures with counter-tariffs. In this case, the additional US tariffs would be increased by the same amount.
Although the White House presents the new regulations as a measure to ‘enforce fair trading conditions’, criticism of them is growing louder. With the current update, the US government is clearly focusing on confrontation rather than cooperation. The use of reciprocal tariffs as a strategic means of pressure may be acceptable in domestic politics, but in foreign trade it threatens to further exacerbate existing trade conflicts. If the measures are not curbed in a timely manner, far-reaching disruptions to international supply chains and significantly increased uncertainty for companies and markets are to be expected.
Here you will find a table with the current country-specific additional tariffs (as of July 2025).
Links:
Executive Order: Extending the Modification of the Reciprocal Tariff Rates
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