(Adds Irish foreign minister, Hamburg Commercial Bank quotes)

July 12 (Reuters) - Goods imported from both the

European Union and Mexico will face a 30% U.S. tariff rate

starting August 1, U.S. President Donald Trump said in letters

posted to his social media platform on Saturday.

Following are reactions to the announcement:

URSULA VON DER LEYEN, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

"Imposing 30 percent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt

essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of

businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the

Atlantic.

"The EU has consistently prioritized a negotiated solution

with the U.S., reflecting our commitment to dialogue, stability,

and a constructive transatlantic partnership.

"We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by

August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to

safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate

countermeasures if required."

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI'S OFFICE IN STATEMENT

"We trust in the goodwill of all players in the field in

order 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 clash between the two

sides of the Atlantic.

"It is now crucial to remain focused on the negotiations,

avoiding polarisations that would make reaching an agreement

more complex."

DUTCH PRIME MINISTER DICK SCHOOF

"The US announcement of 30% tariffs on goods imported from

the European Union is concerning and not the way forward. The

European Commission can count on our full support. As the EU we

must remain united and resolute in pursuing an outcome with the

United States that is mutually beneficial."

IRISH FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE MINISTER SIMON HARRIS

"There is no necessity to escalate the situation or to

further increase the additional tariffs which have been imposed

on the EU.

"The EU will remain united and focused as negotiations

continue between now and 1 August."

WOLFGANG NIEDERMARK, SENIOR OFFICIAL IN GERMAN INDUSTRIAL

LOBBY BDI, IN STATEMENT

"President Trump's announcement is an alarm signal for

industry on both sides of the Atlantic. A trade conflict between

two economic areas as closely intertwined as the EU and the U.S.

is damaging to economic recovery, innovative strength and

ultimately trust in international cooperation.

"Tariffs as a means of exerting political pressure lead to

higher costs, jeopardize jobs and undermine international

competitiveness, both in Europe and in the U.S.

"BDI is calling on the German government, the European

Commission and the U.S. administration to find solutions very

quickly in an objective dialogue and to avoid an escalation."

DAN O'BRIEN, CHIEF ECONOMIST, INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND

EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, IN POST ON X

"A 30% tariff on EU goods going to US would have a

significant trade destruction effect. The threat to meet any EU

tariff retaliation with a further and equal percentage point

increase in the US tariff highly provocative. Chances of wider

EU-US economic conflict have risen."

CYRUS DE LA RUBIA, CHIEF ECONOMIST, HAMBURG COMMERCIAL BANK

"For the EU, this is bad news and means a high burden for

the export industry, as the US is the most important export

destination outside the EU.

"The EU should take a hard line in negotiations, because

model calculations show that tariffs against the EU have a

stronger negative effect in the US than in the eurozone.

"Trump is overlooking the fact that the economic impact in

the form of higher inflation, higher interest rates, and slower

growth will probably only be felt after a certain delay. The One

Big Beautiful Bill is not powerful enough to offset the negative

effects of tariffs."

(Compiled by EMEA Editing Desk)