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 that 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
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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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 Prime Minister of the U.K. 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.