To an extent that North -American Foreign Affairs could increase, President Trump announced on Wednesday that Is instituting What he described as « reciprocal rates » to dozens of commercial members of the United States.
From April 5, all imports in the United States will be subject to an initial rate of 10%. At that time, from April 9, about 90 countries that, according to the Trump administration, currently impose imported taxes on North -American merchandise, will also be affected by an additional reciprocal tax.
For example, the imports of Egypt, the United Kingdom, the Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates will be hit with a reciprocal rate of 10%, while the goods leaving the European Union will face a reciprocal rate of 20%, Taiwan a 32%tariff, 34%China and Cambodia with the highest reciprocal rate of 49%.
I-HWA Cheng/AFP Via Getty pictures 
The only two commercial members who were completely exempt from Wednesday’s reciprocal rates were Mexico and Canada. Both countries, however, face 25% of rates under directed separate policies aluminum and steelwhich came into effect in February as well as the import of vehicles, that are configured to enter into force on Thursday.
Speaking of Fox News on Wednesday evening, Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said that the merchandise of Mexico and Canada that are currently covered by the United States-Mexico-Canadian Agreement would remain exempt from reciprocal rates for the moment.
Economists They have warned That the rates through the board could decrease the finances of the Americans with lower revenue, while also helping to push A recession. But in his announcement of the Roses Garden of the White House on what he called « Liberation Day », Mr. Trump painted a shameless image of an USA that has been used even by his allies.
« Commercial deficits are no longer just an economic problem. They are a national emergency that threatens our safety and our way of life. It is a great threat to our country, » said the President.
The response so far from foreign leaders to Mr. Trump’s announcement has gone since his criticism.
The China Ministry of Commerce in a statement to Agence France-Presse urged the United States to « immediately cancel » the rates. A White House official told CBS News that reciprocal rates are additive Also Up to 20% of rates that were already in place.
« China urges the United States to immediately cancel unilateral fare measures and to properly resolve differences with commercial partners through equal dialogue, » the ministry said, saying that « it would jeopardize world economic development. »
Swedish Prime Minister ULF KRISTSON argued that « the free company and competition have established the foundations of the success of the West … that is why I deeply regret the path that the United States have taken, seeking to limit trade with higher rates. »
He continued, « my hope and our goal is that we can contain the new rates in the United States. »
Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of the right of Italy and a Trump ally who visited him In Mar-Aago, in January he called the rates in the EU « wrong » and a « movement » that does not fit any part. «
« We will do our best to work with an agreement with the United States, with the aim of avoiding a trade war that inevitably would weaken the West in favor of other world actors, » Meloni he said. « In any case, as always, we will act in the interest of Italy and its economy, even comparing us with other European partners. »
Sok Eysan, a spokesman for the Cambodia Popular Party, told the New York Times in a statement: « As a small country, we just want to survive. If it valued human rights and democratic principles, it would never abuse small countries. »
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said on social media: « The United States decision tonight to impose 20% of imports on imports throughout the European Union is deeply unfortunate. I strongly believe that rates do not benefit anyone. My priority and government is to protect Irish jobs and the Irish economics. »
Simon Harris, Deputy Primary Minister of Ireland, It wasn’t a layer of sugar His feelings about what he thought represent a « enormous challenge for Irish exporters in the United States in all sectors. »
« I have to be honest tonight that a 20 percent blanket rate on merchandise in all EU countries could have a significant effect on Irish investment and the broadest economy and the impact of what was announced can be heard for a while, » Harris said in a long social media.
The comments Come just weeks After Martin had a tense meeting with Mr. Trump in the White House in the midst of the tariff threat.
« In general, rates are detrimental to trade, damaging companies, but also harms consumers, because they will lead to an increase in consumer prices, » Martin told CBS News in an interview at that time.
Japanese Minister of Commerce, Yoji Muto, told journalists that the 24% rate of Japanese merchandise was « extremely unfortunate », according to AFP.
« I have transmitted that Unilateral Unilateral Measures of the United States are extremely unfortunate, and I have reinstated strongly (Washington) not to apply -in Japan, » said Muto.
In a brief statement, Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter only said that Switzerland will « quickly determine the next steps. »
Caitlin Yilek and
contributed to this report.
Leave a Reply