3 days Ago
Countries across the world, including some of America's closest allies, have condemned President Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs and some pledged countermeasures while hoping the White House will be open to negotiations. Login or signup to continue reading China urged the United States to immediately cancel its latest tariffs and vowed to safeguard its own interests, threatening to spiral the world's largest economies deeper into a trade war that is likely to upend global supply chains. Leaders in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and South Korea, all major US allies in the region, blasted Trump's move.
"We need to decide what is best for Japan, and most effective, in a careful but bold and speedy manner," said Trade Minister Yoji Muto, when asked whether Japan would retaliate. Trump said on Wednesday that he would impose a 10 per cent baseline tariff on all imports to the US and higher duties on dozens of other countries. Among close US allies, Japan was targeted with a 24 per cent rate, South Korea with 25 per cent, Taiwan with 32 per cent and the European Union with 20 per cent.
The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and most of South America were let off with the minimum 10 per cent. "The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the world," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "We are ready to respond, we are preparing further packages of measures to protect our interests.
" Trump announced China would be hit with a 34 per cent tariff, on top of the 20 per cent he previously imposed earlier in 2025, bringing the total new levies to 54 per cent and close to the 60 per cent figure he had threatened while on the campaign trail. "China firmly opposes this," Beijing's commerce ministry said in a statement. "There are no winners in trade wars, and there is no way out for protectionism.
" However, several leaders pressed for talks with the White House, seeking exemptions or a retreat on duties, while von der Leyen said she agreed with Trump that the global trading system had "serious deficiencies". Trump was not imposing his new 10 per cent global tariff rate on top trading partners Canada and Mexico while his previous order remained in place for up to 25 per cent tariffs on many goods from the two countries over border control and fentanyl trafficking issues, the White House said. "We are going to fight these tariffs with countermeasures, we are going to protect our workers, and we are going to build the strongest economy in the G7," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Wednesday that Mexico would not pursue a "tit-for-tat on tariffs" but would rather announce a "comprehensive program" on Thursday. The government of Latin America's largest economy, Brazil, which Trump slapped with a 10 per cent tariff, said it was "evaluating all possible actions to ensure reciprocity in bilateral trade, including resorting to the World Trade Organisation". Australian Associated Press Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team.
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