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.”
U.S. has become a central outside power in the south caucasus, shaping diplomacy, security and energy flows. Its relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia...
Iran would retaliate by striking U.S. military bases across the Middle East if it comes under attack by American forces, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghc...
France and Canada opened new consulates in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, on Friday, stepping up their Arctic presence in a show of support for Denmark,...
A senior Russian military intelligence officer is recovering in hospital after being shot several times in Moscow, as investigators prepare to interro...
Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine’s energy system early on Saturday (7 January), hitting power generation and distribution f...
U.S. has become a central outside power in the south caucasus, shaping diplomacy, security and energy flows. Its relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia have evolved from similar beginnings into two distinct partnerships that now define Washington’s role in the region.
Iran would retaliate by striking U.S. military bases across the Middle East if it comes under attack by American forces, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday (7 January), stressing that such action should not be seen as targeting the countries hosting those bases.
France and Canada opened new consulates in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, on Friday, stepping up their Arctic presence in a show of support for Denmark, a NATO ally, amid renewed demands by U.S. President Donald Trump to acquire the strategically located territory.
Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine’s energy system early on Saturday (7 January), hitting power generation and distribution facilities with more than 400 drones and around 40 missiles, Ukrainian officials have said.
Winter weather has brought air travel in the German capital to a complete halt, stranding thousands of passengers as severe icing conditions make runways and aircraft unsafe for operation and force authorities to shut down one of Europe’s key transport hubs.
Storm Leonardo hit Spain and Portugal on Tuesday, forcing more than 11,000 people from their homes, as a man in Portugal died after his car was swept away by floodwaters and a second body was found in Malaga.
An attacker opened fire at the gates of a Shiite Muslim mosque in Islamabad on Friday before detonating a suicide bomb that killed at least 31 people in the deadliest assault of its kind in the capital in more than a decade.
Alphabet is emerging as a frontrunner in the global artificial intelligence race, as analysts and executives say Google has overtaken OpenAI, marking a sharp reversal from a year ago when the company was widely seen as lagging.
Iran and the United States opened nuclear talks in Oman on Friday, with Tehran calling the meeting a good start and both sides agreeing to continue discussions after returning to their capitals for consultations.
France and Canada opened new consulates in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, on Friday, stepping up their Arctic presence in a show of support for Denmark, a NATO ally, amid renewed demands by U.S. President Donald Trump to acquire the strategically located territory.
Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine’s energy system early on Saturday (7 January), hitting power generation and distribution facilities with more than 400 drones and around 40 missiles, Ukrainian officials have said.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 7th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have discussed an ambitious goal of reaching a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by March, though the timeline is widely viewed as unrealistic due to deep disagreements over territory, according to multiple sources familiar with the talks.
At least 31 people have been killed and scores wounded in a suicide bombing at a mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, during Friday prayers, prompting widespread international condemnation.
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