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By John Feng and Theo Burman
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Governments around the world are pledging retaliatory actions or urgently seeking exemptions after former President Donald Trump, now back in office, announced sweeping new tariffs on imported goods.
The European Union, China, Japan, South Korea, and others signaled a range of responses, from formal protests to immediate legislative action, as they assess the potential impact on their economies.
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment on the tariffs' impact via email.
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Why It Matters
The tariffs affect global supply chains and could increase prices on both sides of the exchange. Countries that export heavily to the U.S. have the most to lose, particularly China, Japan, Germany, and South Korea. The policy has already strained diplomatic ties, with global leaders flocking to other allies in groups that exclude the U.S.
What To Know
Trump's order faced a global backlash, with leaders across the world retaliating with both words and policies of their own.
These policies, mapped by Newsweek, range from statements of condemnation to similarly aggressive tariffs on American goods.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is "now preparing for further countermeasures to protect our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail," after the U.S. imposed a 20 percent tariff on EU imports.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic plans to meet U.S. counterparts for talks but warned, "we won't stand idly by, should we be unable to reach a fair deal," according to Reuters.
China's Commerce Ministry said Beijing "firmly opposes" the reciprocal tariffs and "will take countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests."
Japan's Trade Minister Yoji Muto called the move "extremely regrettable" and promised a "bold and speedy" response.
Australia has opted against retaliation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "We will not join a race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth." Singapore also announced it would not impose countermeasures, citing cost concerns under its bilateral trade agreement.
Brazil, which received the 10 percent baseline tariff, said it was evaluating "all possible actions to ensure reciprocity," including WTO mechanisms. The country's Congress passed a bill to establish a legal basis for countermeasures just hours after the tariffs were announced.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said the country would avoid "tit-for-tat" tariffs and would instead unveil a "comprehensive program."
The U.K. took a more cautious tone. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that while a trade war is "not in our national interest," he would "only strike a deal if it was the right one" and emphasized that "nothing is off the table."
What Happens Next
The EU will meet in the coming days to firm up its response to Trump's tariffs. But both sides have made clear they are willing to negotiate. The tariffs are set to go into effect between April 5 and April 9.
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