On April 3rd, U.S. President Trump announced that the United States had entered a state of national emergency and introduced reciprocal tariff policies to impose higher tariffs on more than 100 countries and regions. Trump believed that trade deficits were a form of indirect tariffs, so he introduced reciprocal tariffs to balance trade deficits.

The Financial Times reported that Starmer felt relieved when he learned that Trump had only imposed a 10% tariff on British exports.

After Trump imposed a 10% tariff on goods from the UK (rather than a 20% tariff on goods from the EU), UK Prime Minister Starmer said that his "patient diplomacy" with Trump had paid off. The prime minister now hopes that trade negotiations between London and Washington can further reduce tariffs.

In his speech in the House of Commons, Starmer announced that the UK has no intention of forming a "voluntary economic alliance" with the EU to counter Trump's tariffs. Starmer stated, "Choosing between our relationship with the US and other countries, especially Europe, is a false choice."

Despite Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich canceling all tariffs on the US earlier today, the US still imposes a 17% tariff on Israel.

Australian Prime Minister Albanese stated that they will not respond to Trump's reciprocal tariffs with increased taxes. He said, "We will not respond to America's tariffs in the same way. Trump's actions will bring uncertainty to the global economy, and Americans will pay the price for it."

Today, many European countries responded to Trump's reciprocal tariffs.

Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "We need to avoid a trade war. We are working with our European partners to take joint countermeasures."

Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "We deeply regret President Trump's announcement of imposing tariffs."

Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "It is regrettable to see the interests of global trade threatened by an unwelcome trade war in Europe."

Spanish Ministry of Economy: "We believe that the US decision to impose tariffs is unfair and unreasonable."

European Union President von der Leyen commented on Trump's tariff measures:

"The general tariffs announced by the US are a severe blow to global businesses and consumers. Europe is ready to take retaliatory measures. We will always protect our interests and values. But we are also ready to interact and turn confrontation into negotiation."

The White House stated that Russia was excluded from Trump's new tariffs because US sanctions have already "prohibited any meaningful trade." Cuba, Belarus, and North Korea were also not included on the list because the current tariffs and sanctions against these countries were already high.

The two major economies excluded from Trump's list are Canada and Mexico, as Trump has already imposed a 25% tariff on both countries.

When American workers were asked, "What is your reaction to the tariffs announced by the president today?" a steelworker from Indiana said, "I am very pleased... because we saw its role in 2018... It saved many jobs."

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7488999114500227636/

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