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World leaders hit back at Trump over 'totally unacceptable' tariffs – live World leaders hit back at Trump over 'totally unacceptable' tariffs – live
(35 minutes later)
South of the border, Mexico’s ministry of economy has also issued a statement, saying it “deeply regrets and disapproves” the US decision to impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from Mexico as of 1 June but reiterated “its openness to a constructive dialogue with the US”.
The statement read in part:
“In response to the decision of the United States to impose tariffs, Mexico will adopt equivalent measures on a variety of products, including flat steel (hot and cold foil, including coated and tubes and pipes), lamps, pork legs and shoulders, sausages and food preparations, apples, grapes, cranberries, various cheeses, and other products, up to an amount comparable to damage caused by the United States’ action.
This measure will be in force for as long as the US government maintains the imposed tariffs.”
Canada’s list of proposed counter measures is hereCanada’s list of proposed counter measures is here
Freeland concluded her remarks saying:Freeland concluded her remarks saying:
“I want to be very clear about one thing: Americans remain our partners, friends, and allies. This is not about the American people. We have to believe that at some point their common sense will prevail. But we see no sign of that in this action today by the US administration.”“I want to be very clear about one thing: Americans remain our partners, friends, and allies. This is not about the American people. We have to believe that at some point their common sense will prevail. But we see no sign of that in this action today by the US administration.”
Canadian officials said they would impose tariffs against up to C$16.6bn worth of imports of steel, aluminium, whiskey, orange juice and other products from the US. “We are imposing dollar for dollar tariffs,” said Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s foreign affairs minister. The tariffs are expected to take effect on 1 July.Canadian officials said they would impose tariffs against up to C$16.6bn worth of imports of steel, aluminium, whiskey, orange juice and other products from the US. “We are imposing dollar for dollar tariffs,” said Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s foreign affairs minister. The tariffs are expected to take effect on 1 July.
The tariffs violate Nafta and WTO trade rules, added Freeland, who said that Canada plans to launch dispute settlement proceedings under Nafta Chapter 20 and the WTO.The tariffs violate Nafta and WTO trade rules, added Freeland, who said that Canada plans to launch dispute settlement proceedings under Nafta Chapter 20 and the WTO.
Canada’s foreign minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada will impose retaliatory measures against US steel, aluminium and other products – but subject to a 15-day consultation.Canada’s foreign minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada will impose retaliatory measures against US steel, aluminium and other products – but subject to a 15-day consultation.
Freeland also said Canada would continue to defend “free, open rule-based trade” but would also challenge US tariffs under both the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Word trade Organisation.Freeland also said Canada would continue to defend “free, open rule-based trade” but would also challenge US tariffs under both the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Word trade Organisation.
Trudeau said the tariffs will harm industries and workers on both sides of the Canada-US border.Trudeau said the tariffs will harm industries and workers on both sides of the Canada-US border.
“They are an affront to the long-standing security partnership between Canada and the United States, and in particular an affront to the thousands of Canadians who have fought and died alongside their US comrades in arms. The ties of commerce, friendship and in many cases family between Americans and Canadians are undiminished. We are confident that shared values, geography and common interest will ultimately overcome protectionism.”“They are an affront to the long-standing security partnership between Canada and the United States, and in particular an affront to the thousands of Canadians who have fought and died alongside their US comrades in arms. The ties of commerce, friendship and in many cases family between Americans and Canadians are undiminished. We are confident that shared values, geography and common interest will ultimately overcome protectionism.”
Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau has hit back strongly at the imposition of tariffs, calling them “ totally unacceptable” at a news conference.Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau has hit back strongly at the imposition of tariffs, calling them “ totally unacceptable” at a news conference.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the United States’ decision to impose tariffs on European metals exports is illegal and a mistake. The French leader said he would talk to President Donald Trump on the subject later on ThursdayFrench President Emmanuel Macron said the United States’ decision to impose tariffs on European metals exports is illegal and a mistake. The French leader said he would talk to President Donald Trump on the subject later on Thursday
Canada’s prime minister Trudeau and Mexico’s president Enrique Peña Nieto have reportedly spoken and agreed to co-ordinate retaliation efforts...Canada’s prime minister Trudeau and Mexico’s president Enrique Peña Nieto have reportedly spoken and agreed to co-ordinate retaliation efforts...
A formal complaint by the EU at the WTO in Geneva is expected tomorrow, Friday.A formal complaint by the EU at the WTO in Geneva is expected tomorrow, Friday.
In joint statement the French minister and German finance minister, Bruno la Marie and Peter Altamira, said they regretted the “unilateral decision” taken by the White House and backed the European Commission’s retaliatory response.In joint statement the French minister and German finance minister, Bruno la Marie and Peter Altamira, said they regretted the “unilateral decision” taken by the White House and backed the European Commission’s retaliatory response.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau is expected to speak at 1.30pm ET. In the meantime, we have Kathleen Wynne, the premier of Ontario, who has called Trump a “bully”, describing him as a “man who simply does not seem to get that his bluster and his bullying are costing real people real jobs”.
Donald Trump is a bully. The only way to deal with a bully is stand up and push back. And that’s exactly what we need to do. Ontario is urging a swift and sharp response. We need to hit Trump where it hurts – in his wallet.
The conservative business network backed by the wealthy industrialist brothers Charles and David Koch has also come out in opposition to the tariffs. Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity warned there would be a tax increase on all Americans and would undermine the nation’s economy and low unemployment rates.
Now for the reaction from Washington…
Kevin Brady, the Texas Republican chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has said the Trump administration is “hitting the wrong target” and officials will need to provide answers to Congress about the damage to US businesses.
“When it comes to unfairly traded steel and aluminum, Mexico, Canada and Europe are not the problem – China is. These tariffs are hitting the wrong target.”
Brady urged the administration to exempt allies from the new import tariffs. And he warned that administration officials “will need to come to Capitol Hill to provide answers about the indiscriminate harm these tariffs are causing our local businesses”.
Continuing the denunciations of the US decision, Germany’s foreign minister Heiko Maas says the European Union “is ready to react accordingly with counter measure”.
As Europe prepares to hit back with tariffs on a list of US exports worth €6.4 billion ($7.5 billion), Mexico’s economy ministry has said it will target several US goods in response, including some steel and pipe products, lamps, berries, grapes, apples, cold cuts, pork chops and various cheese products “up to an amount comparable to the level of damage” linked to the US tariffs. Canada is also expected to impose retaliatory measures, details of which are expected soon.
Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), called the US move “hugely disappointing” and warned that the tariffs “will hurt companies and communities in many areas of the UK, as well as their customers in the US”.
“The UK government must reach out to and support the many supply chain businesses that face becoming the ‘collateral damage’ of the Trump administration’s protectionist push. British ministers must also work hand in hand with the EU to avoid any further escalation, and to find a long-term solution.”
But he also warned that the US decision to impose punitive tariffs should serve as a reminder that self-interest looms large in trade negotiations.
“Ministers should reflect on this carefully before they pursue any future trade deal between the UK and the USA.”
More from Boffey:
Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People’s Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, and a key ally of the German chancellor, warned that treating the EU as the “enemy” would lead to US consumers hurting too.
He said: “Europe does not want a trade conflict. We believe in a fair trade regime from which everybody benefits. We have tried everything to make dialogue and mutual understanding prevail. If President Trump decides to treat Europe as an enemy, we will have no choice but to defend European industry, European jobs, European interests.”
But he warned his party would not accept “this highly regrettable decision without reacting. This will have consequences for the American people too. In a trade conflict there are only losers.”
The situation, he added, “has to be a wake-up call for us Europeans.”
“With the US closing in on itself, we should be bridge-builders and reliable partners for the rest of the world. Europe now has to act with a clear message and remain united, calm and proportionate.”
Gareth Stace, director of UK Steel, called the US decision “a bad day for the steel sector, for international relations and for free trade.”
He said it is vital that the EU and US continue discussions to find a way through the current impasse and reach an agreement that works for all parties.
But he called on the EU to forge ahead with safeguard action.
And from the Guardian’s political correspondent Jessica Elgot:
A UK government spokesman said they were “deeply disappointed” by the outcome.
“The UK and other European Union countries are close allies of the US and should be permanently and fully exempted from the American measures on steel and aluminium,” the spokesman said. “We have made clear to the US government at the highest levels the importance of UK steel and aluminium to its businesses and defence projects. We will continue to work closely with the EU and US Administration to achieve a permanent exemption, and to ensure that UK workers are protected and safeguarded.”
May will raise the tariffs with Trump directly when the pair meet at the G7 in Canada next week, where the issue is likely to figure prominently. May has personally lobbied the US president repeatedly in recent weeks and months.
The Guardian’s Daniel Boffey from Brussels:
Brussels has been preparing a retaliatory hit on an array of US goods, both industrial and agricultural, ranging from Harley Davidson motorbikes to blue jeans and American bourbon. Ambassadors from the 28 member states were in immediate communication with the European Commission following the announcement from the Trump administration. Speaking at a conference in Brussels, Juncker said the EU would launch retaliatory action “in the coming hours”. “This is a bad day for world trade,” Juncker. “It’s totally unacceptable that a country is imposing unilateral measures when it comes to world trade. What they can do, we are able to do.”