President Donald Trump said he would impose a reference rate of 10% on all imports in the United States and higher tasks on some of the country’s largest business partners, attracting provocative responses from leaders and governments around the world.
Trump does not impose its new global tariff rate of 10% on the goods of the main trade partners Canada and Mexico, while its previous order remains in place up to 25% of prices on many goods from both countries on border control and fentanyl traffic problems, the White House said in an information sheet.
Here are some reactions from senior officials and governments around the world:
The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
“The announcement by President Trump universal prices around the world, including the EU, is a blow for the world economy.”
“Spiral uncertainty and will trigger the rise of additional protectionism. The consequences will be disastrous for millions of people around the world.”
“We are already finalizing a first pack of countermeasures in response to steel prices. And we are now preparing for new countermeasures, to protect our interests and businesses if negotiations fail.”
Chinese Ministry of Commerce
“China firmly opposes it and will take countermeasures to protect its own rights and interests.”
“There are no winners in trade wars, and there is no way to go out for protectionism. China urges the United States to immediately raise unilateral prices and properly resolve the differences with its business partners by dialogue on an equal footing.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
“Japan is a country that makes the largest investment in the United States, so we are wondering if it is logical for (Washington) to apply uniform prices to all countries.”
“We must consider what is best for Japan’s national interest. We put all the options on the table to consider the most effective answer.”
Canadian PM Mark Carney
“(Trump) has preserved a number of important elements of our relationship, the commercial relationship between Canada and the United States. But fentanyl prices are still in place, just like steel and aluminum prices.”
“We are going to fight these prices with countermeasures, we will protect our workers and we will build the strongest economy in the G7.”
Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“The Brazilian government regrets the decision taken by the North American government today, on April 2, to impose additional prices not exceeding 10% on all Brazilian exports to this country.”
“The Brazilian government assesses all possible actions to ensure the reciprocity of bilateral trade, including the use of the World Trade Organization, to defend legitimate national interests.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanian
“Administration prices (Trump) have no logic base and they go against the basis of the partnership of our two nations. This is not the act of a friend. Today’s decision will add to uncertainty in the world economy and it will increase costs for American households.”
South Korean acting president Han Duck-soo
“While the World Trade War has become a reality, the government must pay all its capacities to overcome the commercial crisis.”
The Minister of New Zealand Trade Todd McClay
“The interests of New Zealand are better served in a world where trade flows freely … The bilateral relationship of New Zealand with the United States remains strong. We will speak with the administration to obtain more information, and our exporters to better understand the impact of this ad.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
“Spain will protect its businesses and workers and continue to engage in an open world.”
Swedish PM ULF KrisSSON
“We do not want increasing trade barriers. We do not want a trade war … We want to find our way to a trading and cooperation with the United States, so that the people of our country can enjoy a better life.”
Swiss President Karin Keller
“(The Federal Council) will quickly determine the next stages. The country’s long-term economic interests are essential. Adhesion to international law and free trade remains fundamental values.”
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin
“The United States’s decision this evening this evening to impose prices of 20% on imports from the European Union is deeply regrettable. I firmly believe that the prices do not benefit anyone. My priority and that of the government is to protect Irish jobs and the Irish economy.”
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni
“We will do our best to work on an agreement with the United States, with the aim of avoiding a trade war that would inevitably weaken the West in favor of other world actors.”
Manfred Weber, President of the EPP, the largest party in the European Parliament
“For our American friends, today is not the day of the liberation – it is the day of resentment.
Colombian president Gustavo Petro
“We will only make the imports more expensive than if they remove our jobs. But we will not increase the prices if their goods help create greater value jobs.”
