On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing “mutual customs duties” on his country’s imports from “the countries of the whole world” but at varying proportions, in a move that condemned Washington’s partners and opponents at the same time, and a warning of its grave dangers on the global economy.
In what he described as “the day of liberation”, Trump said in a speech in the White House garden, that the “historical executive command” that he signed “imposes mutual customs fees on (imports from) the countries of the world.”
He added that «mutual drawings mean: What they do with us do them. This is very easy. It cannot be easier than that. ”He continued,“ This, in my opinion, is one of the most important days in American history. ”
Trump imposed 34 percent fees on his country’s imports from China and 20 percent of the European Union, which are the most prominent trade partners of the United States.
He added that a minimum customs duties of 10 percent will be imposed on other countries of the world, while other countries will impose heavy fees, for example 31 percent for Switzerland, 24 percent for Japan and 26 percent of India.
Below is the most prominent initial reactions to the customs duties imposed by Trump, on the imports of his country from the countries of the whole world, especially from China and the European Union.
Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carne pledged to respond to Trump’s fees, considering that she would “radically change” international trade.
“We will address these customs fees with counter -procedures,” Carney said in Ottaw
Germany
The German chemical industry, which the United States is the largest importer of the European Union products, called for “calm” in its response to Trump’s fees, stressing that “the escalation will only exacerbate the damage.”
“We regret the decision of the US government,” said the German Chemical Industries Union, “VIC”, which includes, especially the two giants, said: It is now important for all parties concerned to be calm. ”
The German Automobile Industry Union (DIA) condemned customs duties, calling on the European Union to respond to it strongly, as it “will cause heavy losses” and appeal to it at the same time “to continue to express its willingness to negotiate.”
Al -Ittihad also warned that the loss will not be limited to Germany, but rather the American consumer and the American car industry itself.
The Brussels Union appealed to the conclusion of free trade agreements “with the largest possible number of regions in the world” in order for the European Union to become a “free and fair global trade champion.”
Italy
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni announced that Trump’s fees are “a bad procedure”, warning that the outbreak of a trade war will only lead to weakening the West.
“The United States imposing customs duties on the European Union a procedure that it considered is wrong, and it is not in the interest of either party,” Meloni said in a statement. We will do our best to reach an agreement with the United States to avoid a trade war that will inevitably weaken the West in favor of other international actors. ”
Britain
British Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds announced that the United Kingdom is still committed to an agreement with the United States to “alleviate” the impact of the new American customs duties, stressing that London does not intend to take revenge measures immediately.
In turn, the pressure group concerned with manufacturing, “Make Ui”, denounced Trump’s decision, confirming in a statement that these fees are “destroyed” and “will eliminate contracts of integrated supply chains that link the United Kingdom to the United States through other commercial partners.”
It also condemned the decision of Trump, the UK, the Association of Car Manufacturers and Trader, considering it a “disappointing and perhaps harmful.”
Brazil
The Brazilian Parliament passed a law authorizing the government to take action to respond to any commercial restrictions that hinder the country’s exports, while the government of left -wing President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva said: “regret the decision taken by the US government today to impose additional customs duties of 10 percent on all Brazilian exports.”
She added that she is “in the process of evaluating all possible measures to ensure reciprocity in bilateral trade, including resorting to the World Trade Organization.”
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanizi has announced that Trump’s fees are “totally unjustified” and would change his country’s relationship with the United States.
After Trump imposed customs duties in different proportions on all his country’s commercial partners, including Australia, which has reached the rate of fees on its exports to the United States 10 percent, Albanzee said that “these fees are not unexpected, but let us be clear: it is not justified at all,” stressing that these drawings “will have consequences on the Australians’ view of this relationship.”
Ireland
Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin expressed his “great regret” for US President Donald Trump imposing 20 percent customs duties on his country’s imports from the European Union, calling on the 27 members of the bloc to respond to Washington in a “proportional” way.
Colombia
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said, “The US government believes that increasing customs duties on its imports in general may increase production, wealth and employment. In my opinion, this may be a fatal mistake. ”
Denmark
“Everyone has benefited from global trade (…) I do not understand why the United States wants to launch a trade war on Europe,” said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen. No one is victorious, everyone is losing, “stressing that” Europe will remain unified. Europe will provide strong and proportional responses. ”
Switzerland
President Karen Keeler-Astar, whose country has imposed customs duties at 31 percent, confirmed that “the long-term economic interests of the country are priority.”
The president indicated that “respect for international law and free trade are two essential things,” she pointed out that Bern “will quickly determine what will come after that.”
Beijing
China announced today (Thursday) that it “strongly opposes” the new American customs duties on its exports, pledging to take “counter measures to protect their rights and interests.”
In a statement, the US customs duties “do not comply with international trade rules and seriously harm the rights of the parties concerned and their legitimate interests.”
Tokyo
Today, Japan warned that the new customs duties imposed by Trump may violate the rules of the World Trade Organization and the trade treaty concluded between the two countries.
Japanese Minister of Trade and Industry, Yuji Moto, announced that Tokyo informed Washington that customs duties were a “very unfortunate” procedure.
Thailand
Thai Prime Minister Betongarn Chenatatra announced that his country has a “strong plan” to deal with the customs duties imposed by Trump on its exports to the United States, stressing that Bangkok hopes to succeed by negotiating in reducing these exorbitant identities of 36 percent.
South Korea
Acting President Han Duck Soo expressed his regret that “the global customs war warfare”, pledging to “use all government resources to overcome the commercial crisis.”
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing “mutual customs duties” on his country’s imports from “the countries of the whole world” but at varying proportions, in a move that condemned Washington’s partners and opponents at the same time, and a warning of its grave dangers on the global economy.
