Topline
Leaders and government officials around the world sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping “reciprocal tariffs”—which the president claimed was a response to trade barriers placed on U.S. exports—and warned the escalating global trade war could have dire consequences on the global economy.
US President Donald Trump hold us a fist after delivering remarks and signing two orders during a … More
Key Facts
French President Emmanuel Macron called on businesses in the European Union to pause their American investments in response to Trump’s tariff plan, multiple outlets reported, with Macron calling for “collective solidarity” and saying: “What message would we send by having major European players investing billions of euros in the American economy at a time when [the U.S.] are hitting us?”
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen also criticized Trump’s tariffs, telling NBC News on Thursday that Trump was wrong to start the trade war and he would be working on a “proportional” response, echoing his initial response on X on Wednesday afternoon, when he said there would be no winners in this and it was “beyond” him that the U.S. was starting a trade war.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said early Thursday there would “clearly” be an economic impact from Trump’s actions and he will “fight for the best deal for Britain,” but “nobody wins in a trade war (and) that is not in our national interest.”
China’s commerce ministry (MOFCOM) said it “firmly opposes” the tariffs and warned of “resolute countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests,” without offering specifics.
Beijing, whose exports to the U.S. now face a 54% tariff, described the levies as “unilateral bullying” and warned there will be “no winner in a trade war.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the “global economy will massively suffer” due to these tariffs, and the “consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe.”
The EU leader said the bloc was prepared to negotiate with Washington, while also “preparing for further countermeasures, to protect our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail.”
Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck attacked the U.S. president in a press conference on Thursday and said “Trump will buckle under pressure” if the European nations band together and fight back.
South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo told cabinet colleagues that “a global trade war has become a reality,” while Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba urged Washington to roll back the measures against his country and questioned if the levies were “consistent with WTO rules and the Japan-U.S. trade agreement.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the measures will “directly affect millions of Canadians,” as he vowed to fight back with countermeasures, saying: “It’s essential to act with purpose and with force, and that’s what we will do.”
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How Have Other Countries Reacted?
While several countries have threatened countermeasures in response to the tariffs, some others, like Australia, the U.K. and Mexico, have been more circumspect in their response. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is running for reelection next month, said the 10% tariff on exports from his country was “not the act of a friend,” but he ruled out any countermeasures. The Australian leader instead outlined a plan to financially support the industries and sectors affected by Trump’s tariffs. The U.K. prime minister reportedly expressed relief that his country got hit with only a 10% tariff rate, which is half of the 20% levied on the European Union. On Thursday, the British leader told business officials in the country that his government will respond to the tariffs with “cool and calm heads,” with other government officials ruling out any countermeasures. Before Trump’s announcement, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government would not go “tit-for-tat on tariffs,” but is working on a plan to strengthen its economy. After the White House imposed a 46% tariff on exports from Vietnam, the country’s government in a statement urged the U.S. to consider Vietnam’s status as a developing country overcoming “severe and prolonged war consequences.” Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter in a statement on X underscored the importance of international law and said Switzerland would quickly determine its next steps. India’s government vowed for a trade deal this year and said it’s studying the impact of the 27% tariff levied on the country. Taiwan denounced its 32% rate as “deeply unreasonable.”
Which Countries Are Missing From The Tariff List?
Despite the two countries leaders commenting on the matter, both Canada and Mexico were missing from Trump’s reciprocal tariffs list. However, the two North American neighbors are not being left unscathed as the president had hit them with 25% tariffs earlier and the White House confirmed that this levy will remain in place. Another country missing from the list was Russia, however, the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt argued that existing sanctions against Moscow “preclude any meaningful trade,” with the country.
Key Background
Speaking from the White House’s Rose Garden in an event titled “Make America Wealthy Again,” on Wednesday, Trump announced “reciprocal tariffs” against more than 180 countries. The president argued that the levies were a necessity to counter tariffs and trade barriers placed on U.S. exports by these countries. The president claimed that the tariffs are a “discounted rate” compared to what the targeted countries were charging for U.S. goods, although he did not clarify how exactly he was calculating a country’s tariff rate. Reports suggest, the White House was pricing in the trade deficit these countries have with the U.S. to determine their “tariff” rates. The minimum tariff rate for countries on the list is 10%.
Big Number
34%. That is the reciprocal tariff amount levied against China and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that this levy was on top of the previously announced 20% tariffs on all Chinese goods—bringing the total rate to 54%. Exports from Vietnam, India, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea will face tariff rates of 46%, 26%, 32%, 24% and 25%, respectively.
Further Reading
Trump Announces Reciprocal Tariff Rates—54% For China, 20% On EU (Live Updates) (Forbes)
Trump Imposes Tariffs On Uninhabited Heard And McDonald Islands—‘Remotest Places On Earth’ (Forbes)
Here’s The Full List Of Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs Announced Wednesday (Forbes)
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