The announcement by American President Donald Trump regarding tariffs imposed on countries worldwide has sparked numerous reactions. Leaders and governments from many countries have announced similar measures against the USA. Other countries have condemned Trump’s measure and announced that they will try to negotiate.
Authorities worldwide have promised countermeasures after US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he is imposing a basic tax of 10% on goods from all countries plus „reciprocal” tariffs varying from one country to another, according to Reuters.
EU is prepared to react
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated on Thursday that the new customs duties announced by American President Donald Trump represent "a major blow" to the global economy.
She expressed deep regret over this decision but emphasized that Europeans are "prepared to react" and are already working on "a new package of countermeasures" in case negotiations with the American administration, which the EU greatly desired, were to fail.
"It is not too late to address concerns through negotiations," Von der Leyen stated, highlighting that Maros Sefcovic, the European Commissioner for Trade, is "in constant contact" with his American counterparts. "We will strive to reduce obstacles, not to raise them."
Additionally, Bernd Lange, the President of the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament, stated that the EU will respond "with legal, legitimate, proportionate, and decisive measures." "I hope that our arguments and the firmness of our response will provide sufficient incentives to bring the US to the negotiating table," Lange said.
And Irish Minister of Trade Simon Harris stated that the EU "will have to respond in a proportionate manner to protect our citizens, our workers, and our businesses," while Portuguese Minister of Economy Pedro Reis called for a "firm and very intelligent" response.
China threatens with countermeasures
China urged the United States on Thursday to "immediately revoke" the new customs duties announced by Donald Trump, calling for "dialogue" in the face of tariffs that "endanger global economic development," the Chinese Ministry of Commerce conveyed, stating that the measures "endanger global economic development."
"China strongly opposes this and will take countermeasures to protect its own rights and interests," the ministry declared, as the world's largest economies appear to deepen their trade war, risking disrupting global supply chains, according to Reuters.
Trump announced on Wednesday that Beijing will be affected by a 34% tariff, in addition to the 20% tariff he imposed earlier this year, bringing the total of new tariffs to 54% and close to the 60% figure he threatened during the election campaign.
"There are no winners in a trade war, nor a way out of protectionism," emphasized the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
Chinese exporters, like those from any other economy, will face a basic tariff of 10%, as part of the new 34% tariff, for almost all goods shipped to the world's largest consumer economy starting Saturday, before the remaining higher "reciprocal tariffs" take effect starting April 9.
Trump also signed an executive order closing a trade loophole known as the "de minimis," which allowed low-value packages from China and Hong Kong to enter the US duty-free.
Canada is not affected but promises to retaliate
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged on Wednesday to respond to the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, stating that they will "fundamentally change" international trade, according to AFP.
Canada, a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement (USMCA) with Mexico and the United States, is not affected by the new customs duties announced Wednesday by President Trump against almost all countries worldwide.
"We will combat these tariffs with countermeasures," Carney stated in Ottawa, noting that other American tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars would "directly affect millions of Canadians."
Carney acknowledged, however, that the latest announcements by the Republican billionaire "retain a number of important elements of our relationship, of the trade relationship between the United States and Canada."
Brazil has a tariff retaliation law
The government of the largest economy in Latin America, Brazil, announced that it is "evaluating all possible actions to ensure reciprocity in bilateral trade, including resorting to the World Trade Organization."
In fact, the Brazilian Parliament passed a law on Wednesday that gives the government the means to respond to trade barriers on its exports, shortly after Donald Trump announced 10% tariffs on Brazil, AFP reports.
Known as the "reciprocity law," the Brazilian law was adopted with rare unanimity by the parties present in the Chamber of Deputies, the day after a favorable vote in the Senate.
In a press release, the government of left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated that it "regrets the American government's decision to impose an additional 10% tariff on all Brazilian exports to that country."
"The Brazilian government is evaluating all possible courses of action to ensure reciprocity in bilateral trade, including resorting to the World Trade Organization," Brasilia emphasized in a statement signed by the ministries of foreign affairs and industry.
The so-called "reciprocity law" allows the Brazilian government to "adopt countermeasures" in response to "unilateral actions, policies, or practices of a country or economic bloc that have a negative impact on the international competitiveness of Brazilian goods and products." The executive will be able to decide to suspend "trade concessions, investments, and obligations related to intellectual property rights."
What other countries are doing
Japanese Minister of Trade Yoji Muto called reciprocal tariffs "extremely regrettable" and said Tokyo will urge the US to exempt Japan from the tariff measures. Tokyo faces a reciprocal tariff of 24%.
Interim South Korean President Han Duck-soo ordered emergency support measures for affected businesses, including for automobiles, the Ministry of Industry stated, after Trump included a 25% tariff for South Korea.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Wednesday that Mexico does not have a "tariff objective" and that the Government will announce a "comprehensive" economic protection program on Thursday.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country will try to negotiate with the US to eliminate tariffs without resorting to a dispute settlement mechanism in the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. He also stated that his government will not impose reciprocal tariffs, as this would increase prices for Australian households.