Within hours of Trump’s “Liberation Day” speech, a chorus of global voices began responding — some cautiously, others furiously. While the U.S. president promised to rebalance what he called “decades of economic exploitation,” world capitals began drawing their own red lines.
Standing in the White House Rose Garden, President Trump called it “Liberation Day”. But for much of the world, it felt more like a diplomatic earthquake.
In a 48-minute address, Trump unveiled:
A 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S. (starting April 5)
Customised higher tariffs on roughly 60 countries — including a staggering 54% rate on China, 46% on Vietnam, 20% on the EU, and 10% on the UK
A national emergency declaration to justify the sweeping economic action
“Our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, and plundered,” Trump said, promising that “American industry will be reborn.”
Ireland: “Tariffs benefit no one”
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin responded sharply, calling the 20% EU-wide tariff “deeply regrettable.”
“They hurt jobs. They hurt people. We will defend the Irish economy.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris echoed the alarm, warning of prolonged damage:
“A 20% blanket tariff could hit Irish investment hard. Every disagreement ends in agreement — but we must be prepared.”
Poland: “Friendship means fairness”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X:
“Friendship means partnership. Partnership means really and truly reciprocal tariffs. Adequate decisions are needed.”
Sweden: “We don’t want a trade war”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson struck a broader tone:
“Free trade brought peace, prosperity and innovation. Tariffs make our people poorer and the world more dangerous.”
He warned the U.S. move “reverses decades of cooperation” and pledged that Sweden will continue to fight for open markets within the EU.
🇨🇳 China: Financial freeze
Beijing took quiet but significant action, suspending approvals for outbound investments in U.S. assets — a calculated form of pressure designed to gain leverage before any negotiations begin.
Japan: Calls for talks
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tokyo will seek immediate dialogue, particularly on car tariffs. He signalled willingness to fly to Washington if needed.
The Bank of Japan warned the tariffs could harm global growth and worsen supply chain fragility.
India: “Reviewing options”
India faces a 26% reciprocal tariff and is weighing its next steps. Officials indicated retaliation is not off the table, but no measures have yet been announced.
South Korea: Rebound at risk
South Korea, seeing an export revival, warned that Trump’s tariffs could derail recovery. The government confirmed it is preparing a mitigation strategy to shield key industries.
Within Trump’s administration, the move drew cheers from top allies:
Kristi Noem: “Strong action that will help make America safe again.”
Mike Waltz: “Economic security is national security.”
Speaker Mike Johnson: “We will not be exploited anymore.”
But the markets didn’t celebrate. U.S. indices closed cautiously, and futures fell:
Nasdaq futures dropped 2.5%
FTSE 100 slipped 0.7%
Gold hit a record above $3,130/oz
Brent crude slid 1% before rebounding
Auto stocks — Ford, GM, Stellantis, and Tesla — all tumbled.
Trump invoked U.S. trade history — recalling the tariff-backed era before 1913 — as a golden age. But economists were quick to issue warnings.
“This is worse than expected,” said Mary Lovely of the Peterson Institute.
“There are huge implications for global trade and inflation.”
Trump promised “kind reciprocity”, but insisted other countries must drop their barriers first:
“Terminate your tariffs. Stop manipulating your currencies. If not — you’ll pay.”
The Kremlin announced Monday that Russia will implement a full ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 10, coinciding with its celebrations of Victory Day over Nazi Germany. The truce, ordered by President Vladimir Putin for "humanitarian reasons," will begin at midnight on May 8 (2100 GMT, May 7).
Greece plans to equip its railways with remote control systems and real-time tracking by September, aiming to improve safety after the country’s deadliest train disaster.
India has finalized a $7.41 billion agreement with France to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy, a defence ministry official confirmed to Reuters on Monday.
The death toll from a U.S. airstrike on a detention centre for migrants in Yemen’s northern Saada province has risen to 74, according to the Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform.
The Kremlin announced Monday that Russia will implement a full ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 10, coinciding with its celebrations of Victory Day over Nazi Germany. The truce, ordered by President Vladimir Putin for "humanitarian reasons," will begin at midnight on May 8 (2100 GMT, May 7).
Greece plans to equip its railways with remote control systems and real-time tracking by September, aiming to improve safety after the country’s deadliest train disaster.
Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica said it was working with energy companies to restore power after large parts of Spain and Portugal were hit by a power outage on Monday.
SIPRI’s annual report, released Monday, said global military expenditure reached $2.72 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% increase from 2023 and the largest year-on-year rise since the Cold War's end. This marks the tenth straight year of growth.
Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
In an expansive interview marking his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump sketched out an agenda that touches everything from punitive tariffs and China policy to cease-fire hopes in Ukraine and an overhaul of domestic programmes. Below are the highlights.
A deadly attack targeting tourists in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory has left at least 20 feared dead, marking the deadliest incident against civilians in the region for years, according to security sources.
The Kremlin announced Monday that Russia will implement a full ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 10, coinciding with its celebrations of Victory Day over Nazi Germany. The truce, ordered by President Vladimir Putin for "humanitarian reasons," will begin at midnight on May 8 (2100 GMT, May 7).
Greece plans to equip its railways with remote control systems and real-time tracking by September, aiming to improve safety after the country’s deadliest train disaster.
Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica said it was working with energy companies to restore power after large parts of Spain and Portugal were hit by a power outage on Monday.
SIPRI’s annual report, released Monday, said global military expenditure reached $2.72 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% increase from 2023 and the largest year-on-year rise since the Cold War's end. This marks the tenth straight year of growth.
Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.
The Kremlin announced Monday that Russia will implement a full ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 10, coinciding with its celebrations of Victory Day over Nazi Germany. The truce, ordered by President Vladimir Putin for "humanitarian reasons," will begin at midnight on May 8 (2100 GMT, May 7).
Greece plans to equip its railways with remote control systems and real-time tracking by September, aiming to improve safety after the country’s deadliest train disaster.
Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica said it was working with energy companies to restore power after large parts of Spain and Portugal were hit by a power outage on Monday.
SIPRI’s annual report, released Monday, said global military expenditure reached $2.72 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% increase from 2023 and the largest year-on-year rise since the Cold War's end. This marks the tenth straight year of growth.
Roman Catholic cardinals will meet in a secret conclave to elect the new leader of the global Church starting from May 7, a senior Vatican source said on Monday.
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