US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing tariffs on "all" countries, with a minimum of 10%. These are the most extensive US trade restrictions in a century.
"Apostrophe" collected the reactions of countries to this step by the United States.
Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Maloni has called Trump's decision to impose a 20% tariff on EU imports a mistake, warning that such measures would not benefit either side and would only undermine the long-standing partnership.
" We will do everything we can to reach an agreement with the United States to prevent a trade war that would inevitably weaken the West to the benefit of other global players ," Maloney said.
The US is Italy's second-largest export market after Germany, and the imposition of tariffs could deal a serious blow to Italian manufacturers in a variety of sectors, from food processing to equipment manufacturing.
Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Mürset said that this is a serious blow to the global economy and a critical situation for Norway.
" Preliminary estimates show a 20% tariff against the EU and at least 10-15% against Norway. This is of great importance, because we also export significantly to the EU, and this will affect us. This is a serious day and we need to understand what the real consequences will be for Norway ," he said.
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, stated that the country's authorities will take the following steps in response to the new US tariffs in the near future: " The priority is the country's long-term economic interests. Compliance with international law and free trade are fundamental values ."
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country will continue to advocate for free trade and international cooperation.
" Free enterprise and competition have been the foundation of the West's success. That's why Americans can listen to music on Swedish Spotify, and we Swedes can listen to the same music on American iPhones. That's why I deeply regret the path the US has taken, restricting trade by raising tariffs ," he said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says that these tariffs did not come as a surprise to his country: " But let's be frank - they are completely baseless. President Trump talked about 'reciprocal tariffs'. Reciprocal tariffs should be zero, not 10%! The administration's actions defy all logic and undermine the foundations of our partnership. This is not the act of a friend ."
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin has called protecting Irish jobs and the economy his government's priority: " We will work with Irish and international companies to help them get through this period. Ireland, together with the EU, will seek ways to negotiate with the US to minimize the damage from these tariffs ."
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after the tariffs were introduced: " Friendship means partnership. Partnership means truly reciprocal tariffs. Appropriate solutions are needed ."
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he finds it difficult to understand why the US wants to start a trade war against Europe. He believes there are no winners and everyone loses.
" Instead of building walls, we must remove barriers. Europe will stand as one. Europe will give a decisive and proportionate response ," Lökke said.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country would fight Trump's tariffs with countermeasures.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that countermeasures are being prepared in response to Trump's tariffs, calling them a serious blow to businesses and consumers around the world. The European Commission is already finalizing the development of the 1st package of countermeasures in response to steel tariffs, and is preparing for additional actions if diplomacy does not help.
" But there is an alternative path, it is not too late to negotiate ," von der Leyen noted.
She stressed that Trump's decision puts the most economically vulnerable countries and their populations in an extremely difficult position, and the price of cooperation with the United States "will increase immediately." Von der Leyen stressed that consumers around the world will immediately feel the impact of the trade war, as prices for even basic goods and services will increase significantly. She noted that the United States' decision on universal tariffs is particularly damaging to transatlantic economic relations.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant warned US trading partners against retaliating against the new tariffs, saying such a response could lead to further tariff increases.
" My advice to every country right now is not to retaliate. Sit back. Accept it. Let's see how it goes, because if you retaliate, there will be escalation. If you don't retaliate, it won't go any further ," he said.
Some countries have already approached the US with a proposal to start trade talks. Bessent assured that the administration is ready to give time for the situation to stabilize, after which it will assess further developments.
Bessent also said that prices for average Americans in the short term "could go up, but not necessarily" and added that it was "a very complex calculation."
Recall that Trump introduced new tariff rates on imports, hoping to revive American industry. The minimum rate is 10%, including for Ukraine. At the same time, for the so-called "violator countries", which, according to him, behaved unfairly towards the United States, the duties are higher: for China - 54%, and for Europe - 20%. Bloomberg Agency estimated that this will affect global trade by $ 33 trillion.
Trump is also imposing a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars, effective April 3, and a 10% tariff on foreign auto parts, effective May 3.
" For all Americans, this is Liberation Day! The long-awaited moment has arrived - April 2, 2025 will forever go down in history as the day of the rebirth of American industry, the day America took its destiny back into its own hands, and the day we began to make America rich again! ", Trump declared.
As Apostrophe reported, Trump had an embarrassment while signing the decree on the introduction of tariffs.