Nations scramble to counter Trump’s tariffs

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The global trade chessboard is shifting again, and this time, the European Union and its allies are making it clear they won’t sit idly by. President Trump’s latest round of reciprocal tariffs has drawn swift responses from world leaders, each scrambling to protect their own economic interests.

The retaliation isn’t just talk. It’s a coordinated effort to push back against Trump’s economic nationalism. The European Union is already preparing countermeasures, with Germany leading calls for an aggressive response. French President Emmanuel Macron is urging European companies to scale back investments in the U.S., signaling an economic squeeze from across the Atlantic.

Canada has wasted no time either. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a blanket 25% tariff on all U.S. vehicle imports that don’t comply with the USMCA trade deal. This move is a direct strike at one of America’s key manufacturing sectors, forcing automakers to either adjust or absorb the cost. Mexico is also planning broader retaliation, with measures expected as soon as next month.

The responses from other major economies reveal a pattern:

  • China is demanding the U.S. cancel its tariffs “immediately” or face swift countermeasures.

  • Japan is calling the tariffs “regrettable” and is maneuvering for exemptions.

  • South Korea is rolling out emergency support for industries affected by the trade war.

  • The United Kingdom is hedging its bets, keeping trade talks open but reserving the right to react.

  • Brazil is considering taking the battle to the World Trade Organization while weighing its own response.

This is an economic war playing out in real-time.