WASHINGTON – Countries around the world, including the United States’ closest allies, have strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s newly announced retaliatory tariffs. Some nations have outlined countermeasures while also hoping for potential negotiations with the U.S. government.
China has called for an immediate reversal of the tariffs and vowed to protect its national interests, warning that escalating trade tensions between the world’s largest economies could severely disrupt global supply chains.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the tariffs, stating, “This is not the act of a friend.” He argued that Trump’s trade policies were unjustified and risked undermining the foundation of U.S.-Australia relations.
Leaders from Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, and South Korea—key U.S. allies in the region—also denounced the move. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed deep disappointment, revealing that Japan had requested an exemption from the tariffs but was instead hit with a 24% import duty. South Korean Acting President Han Duck-soo urged negotiations with U.S. officials to protect South Korea’s export-driven economy, while Taiwan labeled the tariffs as unreasonable and pledged continued discussions with Washington.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the consequences of Trump’s tariffs would be devastating for many around the world. She stated that the European Union is fully prepared to respond and has already planned countermeasures to safeguard the interests of its member states. (TNA)
