Headlines
World leaders react to Trump's tariffs
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 2, 2025
4 min readLast updated: January 24, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
Company
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 2, 2025
4 min readLast updated: January 24, 2026
Trump's new tariffs on US imports spark global reactions, with leaders planning countermeasures to protect their economies.
(Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the United States and higher duties on some of the country's biggest trading partners, drawing defiant responses from leaders and governments around the world.
Trump is not imposing his new 10% global tariff rate on goods from top trading partners Canada and Mexico while his previous order remains in place for up to 25% tariffs on many goods from the two countries over border control and fentanyl trafficking issues, the White House said in a fact sheet.
Here are some reactions from top officials and governments around the world:
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY
"(Trump) has preserved a number of important elements of our relationship, the commercial relationship between Canada and the United States. But the fentanyl tariffs still remain in place, as do the tariffs for steel and aluminum."
"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."
BRAZILIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
"The Brazilian government regrets the decision made by the North American government today, April 2, to impose additional tariffs of no more than 10% on all Brazilian exports to that country."
"The Brazilian government is evaluating all possible actions to ensure reciprocity in bilateral trade, including resorting to the World Trade Organization, in defense of legitimate national interests."
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE
"The (Trump) administration's tariffs have no basis in logic and they go against the basis of our two nations' partnership. This is not the act of a friend. Today's decision will add to uncertainty in the global economy and it will push up costs for American households."
SOUTH KOREAN ACTING PRESIDENT HAN DUCK-SOO
"As the global trade war has become a reality, the government must pour all its capabilities to overcome the trade crisis."
NEW ZEALAND TRADE MINISTER TODD MCCLAY
"New Zealand's interests are best served in a world where trade flows freely ... New Zealand's bilateral relationship with the U.S. remains strong. We will be talking with the administration to get more information, and our exporters to better understand the impact this announcement will have."
SPANISH PRIME MINISTER PEDRO SANCHEZ
"Spain will protect its companies and workers and will continue to be committed to an open world."
SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER ULF KRISTERSSON
"We don't want growing trade barriers. We don't want a trade war ... We want to find our way back to a path of trade and cooperation together with the US, so that people in our countries can enjoy a better life."
SWISS PRESIDENT KARIN KELLER-SUTTER
"(The Federal Council) will quickly determine the next steps. The country's long-term economic interests are paramount. Adherence to international law and free trade remain core values."
IRISH PRIME MINISTER MICHEAL MARTIN
"The decision by the U.S. tonight to impose 20% tariffs on imports from across the European Union is deeply regrettable. I strongly believe that tariffs benefit no one. My priority, and that of the government, is to protect Irish jobs and the Irish economy."
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI
"We will do everything we can to work towards an agreement with the United States, with the goal of avoiding a trade war that would inevitably weaken the West in favor of other global players."
MANFRED WEBER, PRESIDENT OF THE EPP, LARGEST PARTY IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
"To our American friends, today isn't liberation day - it's resentment day. Donald Trump's tariffs don't defend fair trade; they attack it out of fear and hurt both sides of the Atlantic. Europe stands united, ready to defend its interests, and open to fair, firm talks."
COLOMBIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAURA SARABIA
"We are looking at the measures, above all in order to protect national industry and our exporters."
(Reporting by Reuters Newsrooms; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle, editing by Deepa Babington and Sonali Paul)
The article discusses global reactions to President Trump's new tariffs on US imports and their economic implications.
Countries are planning countermeasures and expressing concerns about the potential trade war and economic impact.
Canada and Mexico are exempt from the new 10% tariff but still face previous tariffs on certain goods.
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