What World Leaders Have Been Saying About Trump’s Tariffs so Far

World leaders have reacted to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs with a mixture of criticism, concern, and requires calm.

As of Could 27, there’s a 10% blanket tariff on all items imported into america, with restricted exemptions for the auto business and a few electronics; further tariffs on 75 nations have been paused on April 9.

The US agreed to scale back as much as 245% in tariffs on imports from China, the manufacturing hub, right down to 30% for 90 days ranging from Could 14.

The 50% tariff on imports from the European Union that was to be imposed on June 1 has additionally been paused, with a brand new deadline of July 7. The EU mentioned on Could 26 that commerce negotiations can be “fast-tracked.”

The Trump administration has repeatedly indicated that it’s negotiating with numerous buying and selling companions, together with the EU, China, and Japan.

Could 24 marks the midway level till the Trump administration’s “reciprocal tariffs” return for many buying and selling companions on July 7. To date, these talks have solely yielded the define of a commerce take care of the UK on Could 8, addressing all the pieces from agricultural merchandise to aerospace elements, however the 10% tariff stays in place.

Commerce and worldwide relations consultants have beforehand instructed Enterprise Insider that the stress is now on Trump to deliver trade deals earlier than the tariff pause ends 90 days from April 9.

Nonetheless, Trump beforehand mentioned on Could 6 that he would not must make offers in response to being requested when offers could be made.

“We do not have to signal offers, they need to signal offers with us. They need a bit of our market. We do not need a piece of their market,” Trump mentioned throughout the White Home assembly with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Here’s what world leaders have mentioned about Trump’s tariffs and potential negotiations to this point.

Canada

Prime Minister Mark Carney referred to as Trump’s April 2 tariffs “unjustified,” and vowed to defend jobs in Canada “by defending provide administration, doubling income protections, and increasing processing capability.”

Throughout a Could 6 meeting with Trump on the White Home, each leaders signaled that the USMCA — a commerce settlement between the US, Canada, and Mexico — might face an overhaul.

“It’s a foundation for a broader negotiation,” mentioned Carney of USMCA whereas fielding reporter questions with Trump. “Some issues about it are going to have to vary, and a part of the way in which you have performed these tariffs has taken benefit of current facets of USMCA — so it should have to vary.”

Carney is taken into account by many as a relative newcomer in politics, however he has many years of expertise in finance.

China

Trump and China have so far disagreed on everything from whether or not tariffs are justified to who initiated their upcoming trade talks in Switzerland.

“The assembly between Chinese language and US senior officers on financial issues was requested by the US aspect,” China’s spokesperson for the Ministry of International Affairs, Lin Jian, wrote on X on Wednesday. “Lately, the US has mentioned repeatedly it desires to barter with China.”

Trump denied that the US had reached out first, and mentioned, “No,” on Could 7 when requested if he would think about reducing his tariffs on China to assist easy upcoming talks.

China has beforehand instructed that the US should decrease the imposed tariffs first to achieve belief.

“China desires to emphasize: in any potential talks and discussions, if the US would not right its false unilateral tariffs, it means there’s a lack of real intent, and that may additional erode mutual belief,” mentioned the spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Commerce in a press convention on Could 2.

“Speaking a method and appearing one other, or utilizing talks as a canopy for coercion and stress, merely will not work with China,” the spokesperson added.

UK

The UK introduced the outlines of a commerce take care of the US on Could 8 on the White Home. This could be the closest the Trump administration has gotten to a signed commerce deal because the April 2 tariffs.

In response to a White Home truth sheet, the deal would create “a $5 billion alternative for brand new exports for US farmers, ranchers, and producers,” together with those who produce beef, ethanol, prescribed drugs, and aerospace applied sciences. The ten% baseline tariff, nonetheless, stays in place for the UK.

Throughout a go to to a Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing unit on Could 8, Starmer mentioned the deal is anticipated to “shield British companies and save hundreds of jobs.”

Moreover, Starmer mentioned the deal fully removes tariffs on British metal and aluminum, will “present very important assurances for our life sciences sector,” and “grant unprecedented market entry for British farmers.”

UK Commerce Minister Jonathan Reynolds beforehand referred to as Trump’s imposition of tariffs “disappointing” on April 3, whereas Starmer warned that tariffs could have a serious “financial affect, each nationally and globally.”

Starmer additionally beforehand mentioned on April 3 that nothing could be “off the desk” when it got here to the UK’s response to the tariffs, although he hopes to safe a take care of the US.

Mexico

Regardless of dealing with 25% in tariffs, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a much less essential stance than most world leaders.

“There aren’t any further tariffs on Mexico, and that’s good for the nation,” Sheinbaum mentioned throughout a press convention on April 3 after Trump introduced broad tariffs the day earlier than.

Sheinbaum mentioned Mexico was spared from extra tariffs because of “the great relationship we now have constructed with the US authorities, based mostly on collaboration however with respect.”

In a subsequent each day briefing on April 7, 2025, Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico is not going to impose retaliatory tariffs on the US.

Sheinbaum had additionally beforehand efficiently negotiated pauses on tariffs imposed on Mexico in February by highlighting her efforts in curbing fentanyl trafficking and deploying 10,000 Nationwide Guard troops to the border, points that have been listed by Trump as causes to position duties on Mexico.

European Union

The 27-nation bloc confronted a 50% tariff set to start on June 1, however after a name between Trump and EU Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, the tariff was postponed.

On Could 25, Von der Leyen mentioned on X that “Europe is able to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” and that she had a “good name” with Trump.

“They agreed each to fast-track the trade negotiations and to remain in shut contact,” Paula Pinho, a spokeswoman for the European Fee, mentioned throughout a press convention on Could 26, a day after the 2 leaders spoke over the cellphone.

“We’re speaking about, in fact, the world’s single largest and closest buying and selling relations, so these negotiations are advanced,” Pinho added. “With this name, there’s now a brand new impetus for the negotiations.”

On Could 26, Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s chief commerce negotiator, additionally mentioned on X that he had “good calls” with the secretary of commerce, Howard Lutnick, and ambassador Jamieson Greer.

The EU had initially provided the US a “zero for zero” deal during which tariffs could be mutually eliminated totally, however the US rejected the deal.

Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez referred to as Trump’s April 2 tariffs on EU imports a “unilateral assault” and “Nineteenth-century protectionism.”

Sanchez additionally promptly introduced a €14.1 billion ($15B) assist package deal for affected industries like aluminum, olive oil, and wine.

“We’ll overcome this unfair disaster with out renouncing our values,” Sánchez mentioned. “Europe’s hand is outstretched, and it all the time can be as a result of the American folks, past their governments, are a pleasant folks, however that doesn’t imply that we’re going to stand by and do nothing.”

After Trump paused further tariffs on 75 buying and selling companions on April 9, Sánchez mentioned the choice might open “a door to negotiation.”

Germany

The outgoing chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, mentioned Trump’s choices on tariffs are “essentially improper” and supported Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, president of the EU Fee, when she referred to as for Europe to react “united, robust, and acceptable.”

“That is an assault on a commerce order that has created prosperity across the globe,” Scholz mentioned at a information convention in Berlin on April 7.

“All the world economic system will endure from these ill-conceived choices. Companies and customers all over the place on this planet, together with within the US, can be affected,” Scholz added. “The US administration is embarking on a path that may solely lead to losses for everybody.”

German economic system minister Robert Habeck mentioned in February that Trump will “buckle beneath stress” if Europe bands collectively.

Conservative chief Friedrich Merz grew to become Germany’s new chancellor as of Could 7 and has but to deal with tariffs.

Australia

Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia and chief of the Labour Get together, made it clear that there can be no retaliatory measures in opposition to the US.

“It’s the American individuals who pays the largest worth for these unjustified tariffs,” mentioned Albanese in an announcement on April 3. “For this reason our authorities is not going to be looking for to impose reciprocal tariffs. We is not going to be a part of a race to the underside that results in greater costs and slower development.”

Regardless of being essential of Trump’s tariffs, Albanese mentioned there can be “continued constructive engagement” with the US, as a result of the historical past between the 2 nations is “larger than a poor determination.”

Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba urged Trump to decrease tariffs in opposition to Japan in a cellphone name with Trump on April 7, however mentioned a deal “will not come in a single day.”

“I’ve instructed the president that Japan has been the largest investor in america for 5 straight years and the tariff insurance policies might damage Japanese firms’ funding capabilities,” mentioned Ishiba throughout a information convention after the decision.

Throughout Trump’s first time period as president, the US and Japan signed a bilateral commerce deal in 2019 that minimize tariffs on US farm items, Japanese machine instruments, and different merchandise whereas staving off greater duties on Japan’s auto exports.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba mentioned on April 21 that Tokyo has no plan to terminate the commerce deal struck in 2019, however will preserve voicing “grave concern” over inconsistency between the deal and Trump’s newest car tariffs.

Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, has been visiting Washington, DC, in current weeks.