'Not The Act Of A Friend': World Leaders React To Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariffs

Last Updated:April 03, 2025, 04:32 IST

World leaders began reacting after US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) announced global reciprocal tariffs

Italy PM Giorgia Meloni and Australian PM Anthony Albanese (File Image/AP)

US Tariffs: World leaders began reacting after US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) announced global reciprocal tariffs, hitting almost every trade partner.

Trump said he would impose a 10 per cent baseline tariff on all imports to the United States and higher duties on some of the country’s biggest trading partners, in a move that ratchets up a trade war that he kicked off on his return to the White House.

The US declared to impose a 34% import tax on Chinese goods, 20% on imports from the European Union, 25% on South Korean products, 24% on Japanese goods, 32% on Taiwanese imports and 10% on Australian goods.

Reacting to the 10-percent tariff announcement, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it’s “not the act of a friend," adding that his country will not retaliate with its own levies.

“These tariffs are not unexpected, but let me be clear, they are totally unwarranted," Albanese told a news conference after Trump’s tariff announcement, saying one in four Australian jobs depends on trade.

The centre-left Australian leader, who faces a tightly contested general election May 3, said Australia charged nothing on US imports and should face zero US tariffs.

‘Wrong, Helps Neither Side’

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised new US tariffs on imports from the European Union and urged a deal, warning a trade war would only weaken the West.

“The introduction by the US of tariffs towards the EU is a measure that I consider wrong and that does not suit either party," she said in a statement posted on social media.

“We will do everything we can to work for a deal with the United States, aiming to prevent a trade war that would inevitably weaken the West in favour of other global actors."

She said Rome would discuss the issue with other European partners, adding that either way, “we will act in the interest of Italy and its economy".

‘Don’t Want Growing Trade Barriers’

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasised importance of avoiding trade barriers and a trade war. He stated that Sweden seeks to restore a path of trade and cooperation with the US to ensure a better quality of life for people in both countries.

“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," he said.

Manfred Weber, President of the EPP, the largest party in the European Parliament, also criticised Donald Trump’s tariffs, stating that they undermine fair trade rather than protect it. He emphasized that Europe remains united, prepared to defend its interests, and open to balanced and firm negotiations with the US.

“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," Weber said.

Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Plan Unveiled

Trump emphasised that US taxpayers have been unfairly burdened for over 50 years, describing his reciprocal tariff policy as a step toward restoring economic independence.

During his speech from the White House Rose Garden, Trump said that he is “finally putting America first."

“Today we’re standing up for the American worker, and we are finally putting America first," the president said. “We truly can be very wealthy. We can be so much wealthier than any country, it’s not even believable, but we’re getting smart," the US President added.

“We subsidise a lot of countries and keep them going and keep them in business," Trump said about trade partners, specifically Mexico and Canada. “Why are we doing this? I mean, at what point do we say you got to work for yourselves."

He argued that for years, American workers watched as other nations grew wealthy and powerful at the expense of the US. However, he stated that the time had come for the US to prosper, with tariffs playing a key role in driving economic growth.

United States of America (USA)

News world 'Not The Act Of A Friend': World Leaders React To Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariffs