“Heavy blow for the global economy”

The criticism of Trump’s customs package was not long in coming: as a “difficult blow for the global economy”, the EU Commission President of the Leyen described the measure. Others spoke of a “declaration of war” and “ghost trip”.

US President Donald Trump’s new customs package hits many countries hard-the EU member states are also affected. The EU Commission President of the Leyen commented accordingly. She spoke of a “severe blow to the global economy”. The tariffs have horrific consequences for millions of people on earth, said von der Leyen during a visit to the Uzbek city of Samarkand.

The EU member states were already working on a “new package” of countermeasures “to protect our interests and our companies if the negotiations fail,” said the head of the Commission. At the same time, Leyen signaled the persistent willingness to discuss further discussions with the US government. “There is an alternative way,” said von der Leyen.

She pointed out that EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic “in constant contact” with his US colleague Howard Lutnick. “We will strive to reduce and not increase the obstacles.”

EU President rely on trade with other countries

EU Council President António Costa calls for the removal of trade relationships to other countries after the US customs duties. It was now time to ratify the planned new free trade agreements with the South American state alliance Mercosur and Mexico, said Costa on the sidelines of a summit with head of state and government in Central Asian states in Uzbekistan.

In addition, negotiations with India and other important partners should be driven decisively. “Trade is a strong motor of global prosperity,” emphasized the former Portuguese head of government. The EU will continue to work for free and fair trade.

Angry reactions and counter -tariffs

The chairman of the trade committee in the EU Parliament, Bernd Lange from the SPD, spoke of “arbitrary”, which is “completely unacceptable”, in the SPD daily topics. The announcements are a “declaration of war”. For a long time, damage in a high double -digit billion dollar area expects the EU. However, you are prepared and will react with countermeasures, so long.

A “full disaster” and “a trade policy journey of the US President” called the chief of the German Union MPs in the European Parliament, Daniel Caspary, the customs announcements from the White House. Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party EVP in the European Parliament, is ready to defend its interests in the trade dispute with the United States. “Today is not a day of liberation for our American friends, but a day of bitterness,” wrote the CSU politician on the X. Donald Trump’s platform for both sides of the Atlantic. “Europe is united, is ready to defend its interests and openly for fair, determined conversations.”

The Greens also called for this for the service sector, for example an EU digital tax or restrictions on American banks on the European market. The EU Commission has already announced a package with counter-tariffs, which should come into force on April 14th. So far, however, details have not yet been known. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to comment in the morning hours.

Follow for Germany too

Foreign trade president Dirk Jandura also expects negative consequences for the German economy. “I say it very openly: We will feel that,” said the President of the Federal Association of Wholesale, Foreign Trade, Services (BGA) of the Reuters news agency. “We will have to implement the tariffs into price increases, and in many cases this means a decline in sales.” In the case of smaller companies that have already been weakened from the past difficult years, that can also mean that. With that it also affects their workers.

The President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), Hildegard Müller, described the US step as a fundamental trade policy cut. “It is the departure of the United States from the rule -based global trade order – and thus the departure from the basis for worldwide added value and corresponding growth and prosperity in many regions of the world. This is not an America first, that is America Alone,” said the VDA President.

The Association of Chemical Industry (VCI) regretted the decision of the US government. “Now it is important for everyone involved to keep a cool head,” said VCI general manager Wolfgang Große Entrup. “An escalation spiral would only increase the damage. Our country must not become the game ball of an excessive trade war.” In his reaction, Brussels must remain flexible and in close dialogue with Washington. Europe needs a strong mandate, also in the interest of German industry. “The goal must be a fair solution on both sides – for Europe and the USA,” said Große Entrup.

The President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Moritz Schularick, described the new US tariffs as a severe shock for world trade. “If these tariffs persist in this form, it is a turning point for the global economy as we know it. Then we are in another world trade regime. It really hurts, including the Americans,” Schularick told Handelsblatt.

Emphasized serenity in other countries

The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the US tariffs as “wrong”. Rather, she hopes for a cooperation between the United States and Europe to avoid a trade war, she said. This would weaken the West.

The French industry association FEVS expects a decline in wine and spirits exports of at least 20 percent. The association chairman Gabriel Picard told BFM TV.

Great Britain, according to the US tariffs, will remain “calm and determined” to strive for an economic agreement with the USA given the US tariffs. “We have a number of instruments available and will not hesitate to act,” says an explanation. In it, Reynolds also points out that the United States is the closest ally of the kingdom. The United States has planned tariffs of ten percent for Great Britain.

According to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Australia will do without retaliation duties. “We will continue to be emphasized that these unjustified tariffs are lifted for our exporters,” he said. The surcharges announced by the United States are “not a friend’s act”. The measure will drive up the cost of American households.

Effects also on the stock exchanges

However, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney announced countermeasures. These would be announced on Thursday, he said in front of a cabinet meeting. “It is important to act in a targeted and emphasis, and that’s exactly what we will do.” According to the US Presidential Office, the new base custom of ten percent does not apply to Canada. However, the US tariffs of 25 percent for many goods in connection with drug and immigration issues remain in force.

China also threatened countermeasures. The People’s Republic has noted the announcement of mutual tariffs and decidedly rejected it, the Ministry of Commerce said in Beijing. China will protect his rights and interests.

The incumbent South Korean President Han Duck-Soo ordered immediate measures to support companies affected by the US tariffs. This was announced by the Ministry of Industry. “Since the global trade war has become reality, the government has to use all its skills to overcome the trade crisis,” said Han, according to the ministry, at a meeting with the finance minister and other top officials.

The shares of large technology groups initially gave significantly in the post-excessive US trade. Apple fell by 6.1 percent, Microsoft by two percent and Nvidia by 4.7 percent. Amazon gives up five percent, Meta is also 4.7 percent and Tesla 5.9 percent. For Alphabet it went down three percent, 3.9 percent for Alibaba and 2.8 percent for Netflix. Companies in the chip industry also let feathers in the aftercare.

With information from Thomas Spickhofen, ARD studio Brussels