European leaders were quick to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs on nearly 200 trading partners, labeling the move as a “major blow” to the global economy. The tariffs, described as “reciprocal” by Trump, include a baseline 10 per cent tariff but impose higher additional duties on many countries.
The European Union faces a 20 per cent tax on imports from the U.S., while the U.K. will see a 10 per cent tariff and Switzerland a 31 per cent tariff. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concern over the consequences, warning that the global economy will suffer and uncertainty will rise, potentially leading to further protectionism.
French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the tariffs as “unfounded” and called for a suspension of European investment into the U.S. on the heels of the announcement. Meanwhile, English Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that a global trade war would be detrimental to all parties involved and stressed the importance of taking a calm approach in response.
The implementation of these tariffs has sparked tensions among European leaders, who are grappling with the potential economic fallout and seeking ways to navigate through the uncertainty. The impact of Trump’s tariffs on the global economy remains to be seen, but the reactions from European leaders highlight the significant challenges posed by escalating trade disputes.
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Video ““A major blow”: European leaders react as sweeping Trump tariffs rattle global economy” was uploaded on 04/03/2025 to Youtube Channel Global News