President Trump’s newly announced tariffs are drawing reactions from world leaders, ranging from disappointment to threats. On Wednesday, Trump declared a 10% baseline tariff on imports, in addition to reciprocal tariffs based on the duties each nation imposes on U.S. products.
Trump believes these tariffs will encourage foreign investment in the U.S. and stimulate job creation domestically.
While numerous U.S. allies voiced their concerns regarding the tariffs, many also indicated they were not interested in trade wars, and called for negotiations with the U.S. to establish new trade agreements.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the tariffs as a “major blow to the world economy.” Von der Leyen stated that “countermeasures” would be taken, without specifying their nature.
China’s Foreign Ministry stated that “there are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars.”
Reuters reports that Beijing is planning “countermeasures” as well. Trump has particularly targeted China, which already faced a 20% tariff earlier in the year. Now, China will be subject to a 34% reciprocal tariff in addition to the 10% baseline applied to all listed nations.
According to the AP, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba warned that the tariffs would have a “great impact” on both U.S.-Japan relations and the global economy. He pledged that the Japanese government would “decisively protect people’s lives, jobs and industries.”
Despite facing one of the lowest reciprocal tariffs at 10%, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that his country would negotiate with the Trump administration to eliminate the tariffs.
“We will not join a race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth,” Albanese said.
Canada and Mexico are currently exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but they are subject to a 25% tariff on goods, and Canada also faces a 10% energy tariff. While Canada vowed to “fight these tariffs with countermeasures,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country would announce a “comprehensive program” on Thursday, according to Reuters.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer refrained from criticizing Trump, stating that the U.S. president was acting on “his mandate.” However, he added that “nothing is off the table,” and assured that his government is working to secure “an economic prosperity deal” with the U.S.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that his country would proactively remove all tariffs on U.S. goods. Nevertheless, Trump announced a 17% reciprocal tariff on Israel. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said his office was “analyzing the implications for the economy,” and that he would meet with the Finance Ministry to discuss potential responses.
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