Trump’s sweeping tariffs shake global economy, prompting threats and calls for talks

FRANKFURT, Germany. U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on imports have sent shockwaves through global markets, prompting immediate threats of retaliation and calls for negotiations from world leaders. Governments and investors reacted swiftly as industries scrambled and stock markets tumbled.

China condemned the U.S. measures as “bullying,” while the European Union vowed “robust” countermeasures. French officials suggested imposing taxes on U.S. tech giants as a response. However, the United Kingdom and Japan, among others, signaled a willingness to negotiate with Trump rather than retaliate against the world’s largest economy, fearing that imposing their own tariffs on American goods would exacerbate the situation.

The tariffs include a 34% levy on Chinese imports in addition to a previously imposed 20% tariff. The EU faces a 20% tariff, Japan 24%, and South Korea 25%.

Trump Defends Tariffs, Markets React

Trump defended his tariff strategy as a means of reversing what he calls unfair treatment by U.S. trading partners and bringing factories and jobs back to America. Before departing for Florida on Thursday, he expressed optimism about the impact of his policies.

“I think it’s going very well,” he said. “The markets are going to boom, the stock is going to boom, and the country is going to boom.”

However, financial markets told a different story. The S&P 500 fell 3.7% in afternoon trading, while Europe’s STOXX 600 dropped 2.7%. Tokyo’s benchmark index slid 2.8%, and oil prices plummeted by more than $2 per barrel.

Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management described the tariffs’ impact as “a full-throttle macro disruption.” Deutsche Bank analyst Jim Reid noted that with average tariffs now between 25% and 30%, the U.S. has implemented the highest trade barriers since the early 20th century, signaling “a radical policy reordering.”

China and EU Vow to Respond

China, a key exporter of everything from clothing to electronics to the U.S., quickly announced retaliatory measures, warning of potential price hikes for American consumers.

“There are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. “It’s clear to everyone that more and more countries are opposing the unilateral bullying actions of the U.S.”

French President Emmanuel Macron held emergency meetings with leaders from affected industries such as wines, cosmetics, and aerospace. He urged European businesses to halt investments in the U.S., questioning, “What would be the message of having major European players investing billions of euros in the American economy at a time when they’re hitting us?”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the tariffs a “major blow to the world economy” but stopped short of announcing immediate countermeasures. “We are always ready to talk,” she said.

Analysts warn that an all-out trade war could stifle economic growth and increase inflation. Matteo Villa of Italy’s Institute for International Political Studies noted, “Trump seems to understand only the language of force, which suggests the need for a strong response.”

Calls for Diplomacy Amid Economic Uncertainty

Several world leaders advocated for negotiations rather than retaliation. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged dialogue, stating, “We need to open an honest discussion with the Americans with the goal of removing tariffs, not multiplying them.”

The EU’s response has so far been strategic, targeting politically sensitive American goods like whiskey and Harley-Davidson motorcycles to pressure Washington into talks. Some officials suggest expanding retaliatory measures to include Big Tech, as the U.S. exports more digital services than it imports.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed calls for calm, assuring business leaders in London that he aimed to negotiate a trade deal with the U.S. that would remove the tariffs. Japan, the biggest foreign investor in the U.S., adopted a similarly measured approach, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stating that Japan would carefully assess the impact before taking action.

WTO Warns of Global Trade Decline

The World Trade Organization warned that U.S. protectionist measures could cause global trade volumes to drop by about 1% this year.

“I’m deeply concerned about this decline and the potential for escalation into a tariff war with a cycle of retaliatory measures that lead to further declines in trade,” said WTO Director-General Ngozi Iweala-Okonjo.

Higher Prices Loom for U.S. Consumers

Despite Trump’s assurances, the tariffs are expected to drive up prices in the U.S., as American companies importing goods must either absorb the higher costs or pass them on to consumers.

For example, Italian Parmigiano Reggiano producers warned that U.S. consumers would soon pay more for their cheese. “Americans continued to choose us even when the price went up after an earlier round of Trump tariffs in 2019,” said Nicola Bertinelli, president of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium. “These new tariffs will only increase costs for American consumers without protecting local producers.”

The Consumer Brands Association, representing major companies such as Coca-Cola, General Mills, and Procter & Gamble, cautioned that while many of their products are made in the U.S., tariffs on critical imported ingredients—like wood pulp for toilet paper and cinnamon—could lead to higher prices.

“We encourage President Trump and his trade advisors to fine-tune their approach and exempt key ingredients and inputs to protect manufacturing jobs and prevent unnecessary inflation at the grocery store,” said Tom Madrecki, the association’s vice president of supply chain resiliency.

Norfolk Island Left Confused, Russia Unscathed

One of the most unexpected tariff targets was Norfolk Island, a remote South Pacific territory with just 2,000 residents. The island faces a 29% tariff, significantly higher than the 10% imposed on its governing nation, Australia.

“To my knowledge, we do not export anything to the United States,” said Norfolk Island Administrator George Plant. “We’re scratching our heads here.”

Meanwhile, conspicuously absent from Trump’s tariff list was Russia, prompting speculation about the omission.

As global markets reel from the impact of Trump’s tariffs, world leaders must now decide whether to escalate the trade war or seek a diplomatic resolution. With major economies on edge and businesses bracing for higher costs, the coming weeks could prove decisive in shaping the future of global trade relations.